
Glass. 
Book 



i i /^ 



(5 



COLLECTION 






OLD ENGLISH CUSTOMS, 



<£uriou0 &equm» ana ©f>atttms, 

EXTRACTED FROM THE 

REPORTS MADE BY THE COMMISSIONERS FOR 

ENQUIRING INTO CHARITIES IN 

ENGLAND AND WALES. 

By H. EDWARDS. 



LONDON: 

JOHN BOWYER NICHOLS AND SON, 

25, PARLIAMENT STREET. 

1842. 






• 



LONDON : 
J. B. NICHOLS AND SON, PRINTERS, 25, PARLIAMENT SET. 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The Compiler of this little Volume natters 
himself that his Collection of Remarkable 
Charities will be found to combine instruction 
with amusement : — the sources whence it is de- 
rived are of the most authentic kind^ the Reports 
on Charities published by authority of Parliament ; 
and he begs to offer it as a specimen of the in- 
formation to be derived from that voluminous 
and highly valuable collection of public documents. 

HOXTON. 

Nov. I, 1842. 



CONTENTS. 



The Bacon Custom at Dunmow ... 1 

Bequests of Beef, Bread, Coals, Strong Beer, Ale, 

Tobacco, Snuff, Plums, Mince Pies, and for Bell 

Ringing, in aid of Christmas festivities . . 2 — 6 
of Herrings, Bread, Wheat, Gloves, Blankets, 

Peas, Faggots, for the poor in Lent . . 7 — 14 
of Veal or Apple Pies, Bread, Ale, Wheat, 

Meat, Broth, Faggots, at Easter time . . 14 — 19 
of Bread, Beef, and Broth, accompanied with 



a perpetuation of Loyalty — of Cheese, Plum Pudding, 
and Ale — Plum Pudding Money, for feasting the 
poor — for Ringing Bells on the feast day — for prayers 
before dinner — of Beef and Barley — of Cakes and 
Ale — of Barley Cobbs — Plum Cakes and Ale — Figs 
and Ale — Pork for Bell Ringers — Fish and Peas — 
Bread and Cheese — Wheat — Barley, Rye, Oatmeal, 
Malt— Money lent to Clothiers— Beer . . 20—38 
of Wine to cheer the Heart — for a Drinking — 



Barley to promote Education — Petticoats — Flannel 
and Cloth to 100 places — to Lying-in Women — 
Physic and Surgery for industrious distressed ob- 
jects ...... 30—48 

in aid of a Hospital for Widows — for an Asylum 

for Maiden Gentlewomen — to the oldest Widow — 
the Gratitude of a Member of Parliament— Coals — 
Gift to poor Widows of Weavers, Cat and Dog 
Money — Penny Charity — Parson's Horse Money, 
Christmas Dinner Money .... 49 — 57 

Lottery Luck — Stone Picking Money — Feasting Cus- 
tom on St. Martin's Day — Turkies for Love Feasts — 
the Biddenden Maids' Charity — Charity of Beans 



VI CONTENTS. 

and Barley to get free of a Chancery Suit — Flesh to page 

be pickled or dried against a Stormy Day . . 58 — 63 

Bull Baiting and Bull Charity — Beer for Whitsuntide — 
Parish Bull — Custom of the Bull and Boar — Cow 
Charity — Cow Common Custom — Alms Cows — 
Cows lent on hire — Milk .... 64 — 74 

For Maimed and Old Soldiers — Seamen — very exten- 
sive Bamborough Castle Charities — Shipwrecks — 
Widows of Drowned Men — Almshouse as a Travel- 
ler's Rest — Charitable Lights for such as walk in 
Darkness— Night Bell for Guidance of Travellers . 75—100 

For Old Maids — Old Bachelors — to the most Misera- 
ble — Pomposity of a Donor exhibited at little cost — 
Hospital for Bastards — Growing but whimsical and 
useful Charity — Curious Dress to be worn by men 
in Strode's Almshouses — Whimsical Partiality of 
Donor for the Number Nine — Mr. Green's par- 
tiality for Green — Mr. Gray's for Grey — Formality 
without Substance — Charitable Memory — Legacy 
for Schools — Family Ostentation — Money to be 
distributed by a Troutbeck— Bell Rope Lands — 
Ale for Labourers ..... 101 — 116 

Stimulants to Learning and good Behaviour — Money 
distributed by the Handful — Apprenticeship — 
Benevolence encouraged — Singing — Boundary Cus- 
tom — Bread and Cheese and Ale Customs — Money 
on St. Stephen's Day for Bread, Cheese, and Ale — 
Gang Monday Land — for Cakes and Beer, now 
Coals — Singular Condition annexed to a Bequest — 
Land acquired from a Rich Beggar — Payment by the 
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas — for the Poor 
called Walk Money — Hanging Money — Head Sil- 
ver — Funeral Charity — Exhortation to Condemned 
Prisoners 117—129 

For redeeming Christian Slaves from African Captivi- 
ty — Betton's munificent Gift for the Redemption of 
British Slaves in Turkey and Barbary, and for 
Charity Schools — Football Land — Archery and 
Recreations ..... 130 — 136 



CONTENTS. Vll 

For the Encouragement of Servants and Apprentices — page 

Rewards for religious Good Conduct — Virtue and 
Morality — Lucky Maidens — Archbishop Laud's and 
other Bequests for Maid Servants . . . 137 — 157 

For upholding Loyalty and Patriotism — for Prayer 
and Thankfulness — Sermons to commemorate 
National Mercies — Sermons and Psalm Singing at 
the Assizes — Music — Musical Remembrance of a 
particular Anthem — to commemorate Deliverances 
from the Great Fire of London, 1666, and the Fire 
on London Bridge — Sermons of Thankfulness in 
Commemoration of John Bunyan and Stephen 
Duck the Poet — of Lord Nelson's Victory off Cape 
Trafalgar — of Capt. Cook, — of George the 
Fourth — Gratitude for being preserved in Battle — 
the Wellington Charity, founded in Commemoration 
ofthe Peace, 1814 — to commemorate the Coronation 
of George IV. — the Passing of the Reform A.ct — 
Mr. Jarvis's very extensive, but ill directed, Chari- 
ty — Matrimony encouraged— to pay Marriage 
Fees — Sir W. Harpur's very extensive Bedford 
Charities — Marriage Portions — Apprentices — Mr. 
Nicholson's Love of his Family Name — to encourage 
Matrimony, or Horse Racing — to encourage Matri- 
mony and provident Habits . . . 158 — 197 

The Rev. W. Hanbury's extensive and prospective 
Bequests for Schools, Museum, Library, Picture 
Gallery, Printing Office, Hospital, a Church, Temple 
of Religion and Virtue, &c. — a Task — for Education 
and a Sermon — Learning, and Early Rising en- 
couraged — Thoughts of Death and Resurrection en- 
joined — Propagation of Religious Knowledge — a 
Peace Offering — Clock Lands— Religious Tasks — 
Encouragement to learnthe Catechism— Paternoster 
Penny — to keep Church and Churchyard clean— Gift 
to Whitgift's Hospital as an Atonement — to provide 
Sacramental Bread and Wine — Strewing Churches 
with Rushes — with Straw and New Hay — to awaken 
Sleepers in Church — to whip Dogs out of Church — to 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

keep Boys quiet in Church — CurfewBells — dressing pa ge 

Graves with Flowers — Rose Trees in Churchyards — 
Tolerance ..... 199—230 

Christian duties, &c. 

Education of Youth, Good Example, Baptism, Re- 
demption, on the Wisdom of God in the Creation — 
Affectionate Memorial of a Daughter's Love for her 
Mother — bountifulEncouragementto learn theLord's 
Prayer, &c. — Penitential Charity — Sunday Evening 
Prayers — Unkindness, Ignorance, Injustice, and 
Idolatry, reproved, God to be praised — Gratitude — 
Justice, Mercy, and Goodness, encouraged — Peace 
and Goodwill promoted by a Farthing Charity — Peace 
and Good Neighbourhood — Good Will and Brotherly 
Love enjoined — Bequestfor glorifying God — Thank- 
fulness, Bequests to inculcate a Knowledge of God, 
and our Duties to Man — to attend Divine Service, 
and live in the Fear of God . . . 231—255 

Charities for the Benefit of Poor Printers . . 256 



ERRATUM. 
Page 79, line 13, for " sleep," read " sweep." 



A COLLECTION 



REMARKABLE CHARITIES 



THE FLITCH OF BACON TO MARRIED COUPLES. 

Little Dunmow, Essex, 

The Commissioners, in alluding to this custom, 
observe, iC we think that if any such practice as 
the one referred to in the local histories, could be 
maintained as a good custom in law, (which we 
are not disposed to admit,) there can be no doubt 
that it is a manorial one, and, if void as such a 
custom, could not be established as a charitable 
endowment. We were informed, however, that 
no claim had been allowed by the Lord of the 
Manor since the year 1763" — Report on Cha- 
rities, vol. XXIX. p. 186.* 

* The references at the end of each article denote 
the volume and page of the Report from which the 
extract is made. 



2 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES. 

Bexley, Kent. 
Mrs. Mary Mason, by will, 24th October 1811, 
bequeathed the residue of her property to be 
invested in the names of her executors, and the 
interest to be applied as follows : — one third 
thereof, in giving to the poor of this parish a 
comfortable dinner of beef and bread on Christmas 
eve ; another third to be distributed at the same 
time in coals, to such poor families as should 
stand in need thereof ; and the remaining third to 
be divided on Midsummer day, among such poor 
and deserving persons, resident and settled or 
born in the said parish, as should have brought 
up the greatest number of children without . 
parochial relief ; the appointment and distribution 
to be under the direction of Isaac Espinasse, esq. 
of Hextable House, and his heirs. 

The property belonging to this charity consists 
of £1,100, part of a sum of £2,000 consols, and 
the dividends are received and expended by 
James Espinasse, esq. one of the executors of the 
above-named Isaac Espinasse, who was the 
survivor.— XXX. p. 443. 

Bridgnorth Almshouses, Shropshire. 

William Taylor, by will, 6th February 1735, 
directed that Elizabeth Leigh, then owner, and 
the persons who subsequently should be owners 



CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES. 5 

of his two freehold houses, &c. situate in High 
Street, in the parish of St. Leonard, should yearly, 
for ever, on the 26th December, give and provide 
a good and wholesome dinner for the poor persons, 
almshouse women, inhabiting the almshouse 
belonging to the parish of St. Leonard, in such 
manner as of late years had been provided for 
them on that day by the testator and his late 
brother ; and they to be so entertained in the 
most convenient part of the house that fronted 
the street ; and upon every default, his will was, 
and he ordered, the sum of £10 to be paid to, 
and equally divided amongst, such poor persons, 
and the same to be chargeable upon the said 
houses, &c. 

The premises subject to this annual charge 
were in 1822 the property of Mr. Francis Walker, 
who then paid annually at Christmas 13 \d. to each 
of the poor women, as a commutation for their 
dinner. To this sum appears to have been 
formerly added two quarts of strong beer for each, 
but the beer was discontinued about twenty years 
ago, and nothing but the money has been since 
given, with which the poor women declare them- 
selves satisfied. The Commissioners, however, 
doubted whether so small a sum could be then 
considered as a fair compliance with the directions 
of the testator, who, from the season that he had 
selected, and the large penalty that he had ap- 

b 2 



4 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

pointed, seemed to have intended a festive enter- 
tainment of a more costly kind. — IV. p. 236. 

JSurnham, Buckinghamshire. 

By the will of John Popple, dated 12th March 
1830, £4 yearly is to be paid unto the vicar, 
churchwardens and overseers of the poor of this 
parish, to provide for the poor people of Burnham, 
who should be residing in the poor-house thereof* 
a dinner, with a proper quantity of good ale, and 
likewise with tobacco and snuff, on Christmas day 
in every year for ever. — XXV. p. 47. 

Exeter, St. Mary Major. 

It appears, from a statement of charities in an 
old book, that John Martyn, by will, 28th No- 
vember 1729, gave to the churchwardens and 
overseers of the poor of this parish twenty 
pounds, to be put out at interest, and the profits 
thereof to be laid out every Christmas eve in 
twenty pieces of beef, to be distributed to twenty 
poor people of the parish, such as had no relief, 
on that day for ever. — VIII. p. 155. 



PLUM PUDDING FOR CHRISTMAS. 

Forebridge, Staffordshire. 
There is an ancient payment made by the 
chamberlain of the corporation of Stafford, of an 
annual sum of money, generally six shillings, at 



CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES. 5 

Christmas, for the purchasing of plums to be 
distributed among the inhabitants of certain old 
houses in the liberty of Forebridge. 

The Commissioners could not satisfactorily 
learn what was the origin of this payment, but it 
is ascribed by general reputation to the bounty 
of some individual, who heard from some poor 
children a complaint on Christmas day, that they 
had no plums for a pudding ; and it is reported, 
that he counted the houses then in the place, and 
made provision for the supply of a pound of 
plums for each house. The money received is 
laid out in plums, which are divided into equal 
quantities, and made up into parcels, one for each 
of the houses, fifteen or sixteen in number, 
entitled by the established usage to receive a 
portion, without reference to the circumstances of 
the inhabitants. 

It appears that several years ago the payment 
was discontinued, but, on application from the 
late Mr. Clarke of Forebridge, it was resumed by 
an order of the Corporation, and from that time 
the money has been paid to Mr. Clarke during his 
life, and since to his son, to whom the occupiers 
of the privileged houses apply on Christmas day, 
and receive their plums. — XI. p. 521. 



6 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

MINCE PIE AT CHRISTMAS. 

Piddle Hinton, Dorsetshire. 
Tli ere is an ancient custom for the rector to 
give away, on old Christmas day, annually, a 
pound of bread, a pint of ale, and a mince pie, to 
every poor person in the parish. This distri- 
bution is regularly made by the rector, to up- 
wards of three hundred persons. — XXIX. p. 108. 



WELCOMING CHRISTMAS. 

Huardean, Gloucestershire. 

It appears by the benefaction table in- the 
church, that " the Reverend Mr. Anthony Sterry, 
vicar of Lidney, gave by deed, in the 40th year 
of Queen Elizabeth, 5s. per annum, payable out 
of an estate called the Glasp, in this parish, for 
ringing a peal on Christmas eve, about midnight 
for two hours, in commemoration of the Nativity." 

The Commissioners report, that the 5s. is 
received out of the estate charged, and applied as 
directed.— -XIX. p. 105. 



FISH FOR THE POOR IN LENT. 

Clavering, Essex. 
John Thake, by will, dated 13th June, 1537, 
gave to Robert Cockerell and his heirs, his house 
and lands called Valence, upon condition that 



FISH FOR LENT. 7 

they should for ever, yearly, on Friday, the first 
week in Lent, give to poor people of Clavering, 
one barrel of white herrings and a cade of red 
herrings, (a cade is about half a barrel), always 
to be given by the oversight of the church- 
wardens and the tenants and occupiers of the 
lordship and parsonage of Clavering. 

The owner of the farm called Valence, regularly 
sends to the house of the parish clerk, in Lent, 
a barrel of red herrings and a barrel of white, 
which are distributed in the church by the parish 
clerk and sexton, four to each married couple, 
two to each widow and widower, and one to each 
child.— XXXII. part I. p. 822. 

Dronjield, Derbyshire. 

It is stated on a tablet in Dronfield church, 
that Richard Stevenson, in 15 77> left half a 
hundred of • herrings, and as much bread as could 
be made of one strike of good wheat, to be dis- 
tributed to the poor of the parish on every Friday 
in Lent for ever, and thirty pence to be given to 
thirty of the most needy poor in the said parish 
on Good Friday for ever. 

The tenant of the Mill Farm, in Unstone 
Quarter, provides and sends to the vestry at 
Dronfield fifty herrings, and as much bread as 
can be made of one strike of wheat (for the 
making of which he pays), on each of the seven 



8 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

Fridays in Lent ; and the same are disposed of 
in rotation, among the poor of the several 
divisions of the parish, as are also the thirty 
pence.— XVIII. p. 204. 

Duxfords, Cambridgeshire. 

James Bedell, by will, dated 3rd January 1574, 
charged two copyhold tenements with the pay- 
ment of a barrel of white herrings, and two cades 
of red herrings, to be distributed yearly unto the 
poverty of both the Duxfords, by the oversight 
of the churchwardens, on different days in Lent. 
£3. are now received in respect of this gift, of 
which 155. are paid by the occupier of a farm, 
lately the property of the Reverend James Hitch, 
305. from an estate belonging to the late Lord 
Farnborough, and the remaining 155. from a 
copyhold in the occupation of John Knott, 
senior. 

These payments are made to William Thurnell, 
esq. a principal inhabitant of the parish, and are ex- 
pended by him in the purchase of red herrings, 
which are annually distributed in November 
amongst the poor of the parish indiscriminately. 
—XXXI. p. 200. 



FISH FOR LENT. 9 

BREAD AND HERRINGS FOR THE POOR IN LENT, AND 
KID GLOVES TO THE MINISTER. 

Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire. 

In 1 664, David Salter gave 1 Js. per annum for 
ever, to be laid out in the relief of the parish 
clerk, one other poor man, and four poor women, 
of Farnham, viz. for the buying six loaves of 
bread of the value of two pence each, and twelve 
pennyworth of white watered herrings, to be 
brought into the parish church of Farnham 
Royal, on every Sunday morning in Lent ; and on 
every Easter day morning yearly, a sixpenny loaf 
a-piece ; those to be equally divided between 
the poor aforesaid; and two shillings to be laid 
out for the buying of a pair of kid gloves, to 
be given yearly, on the first Sunday in Lent, to 
the parson of the parish for the time being. 

A farm at Thredding Green is subject to this 
payment. — XXV. p. 63. 



RED AND WHITE HERRINGS IN LENT. 

Felsted, Essex. 

The churchwardens distribute, as the gift of 
Lord Rich, seven barrels of white herrings and 
three barrels and a half of red, on Ash Wednes- 
day, and the six following Sundays, to ninety-two 
poor householders of the parish, selected by the 

b3 



10 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

churchwardens, in shares of eight white herrings 
and four red a-piece. A list is kept of the persons 
receiving this donation, and they continue to 
receive it during their lives, unless they mis- 
conduct themselves, or enter the workhouse. — 
XXXII. part I. p. 623. 



CUTTINGS OF FISH. 

London, Fishmongers Company. 

Robert Harding, by will, 20th November 1568, 
gave to the Company of Fishmongers, an annuity 
of £3 6s. 8c?., issuing out of his lands and tene- 
ments in Pudding Lane ; and Simon Harding, his 
son, by deed, 7th September 1576, confirmed the 
same; to hold the said annuity to the wardens and 
commonalty and their successors, to the intent 
that they should pay in the Lent season £3, that 
is, in New Fish Street 30s. and in Old Fish Street 
30s. to the use of the poor inhabiters and artificers, 
; compelled by necessity to repair thither, to buy 
the cuttings of fish and refuse of fish ; the residue 
to remain to the wardens for their labours in this 
behalf. 

There being no poor persons of the description 
mentioned in the deed, the annuity has been 
added to the fund distributed to the half-yearly 
poor at Christmas. — XII. p. 109. 



HERRINGS, BREAD, AND BLANKETS. 11 

BREAD, HERRINGS AND BLANKETS. 

Margate, Kent. 

The great tithes of Salm stone Grange, in the 
parish of St. John, Margate, have been demised 
from time to time for a very long period, subject 
to certain charitable payments. 

The property is now held under a lease granted 
to Messrs. Finnis and Smithet by the Earl of 
Guildford, who is lessee under the Archbishop of 
Canterbury, and the lease contains a covenant to 
the following effect : viz. That the lessee should 
yearly, in the first week in Lent, distribute 
to each of twenty-four of the poor inhabitants 
of the Isle of Thanet, viz. six of each of the 
parishes of Minster, Margate, St. Laurence, and 
Sto Peter, nine loaves of bread and eighteen 
herrings, and the like in the middle of Lent, as 
it had been theretofore accustomed ; and should 
yearly deliver to twelve poor inhabitants, viz. 
three of each of the aforesaid parishes, two ells 
of blanket; and should yearly, every Monday 
and Friday in every week, from the Invention of 
the Holy Cross (3rd May New Style), to the feast 
of St. John the Baptist (24th June New Style), 
give to every poor man and every poor woman 
coming to Salmstone aforesaid, '( one dish of 
peas.? * 

The lessees of Salmstone Grange have pro- 



12 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

vided annually fifty-six pounds weight of dough, 
which are made into thirty-six loaves, nine of 
which are given to six poor inhabitants of each 
of the several parishes above named, in the first 
week in Lent, and the like quantity of bread at 
Mid-lent, and to each person at each distribution, 
6d. in money instead of the herrings. 

They have also given annually, to each of 
twelve persons of the four parishes, two ells of 
blanketing. It does not appear that the peas 
have been distributed for many years, which is 
thus accounted for ; the term u dish " being in- 
definite, so small a pittance was formerly given, 
that the poor did not think it worth their while 
to make application for them. — XXX. p. 554. 



HERRINGS AND FAGGOTS. 

Newmarket, St. Marys in Suffolk, and All Saints 
in Cambridgeshire. 

It is stated in the benefaction table in St. Mary's 
parish, that John Archer gave to the poor of that 
parish a cade of red herrings the first Sunday in 
Lent, and sixty-two band faggots the first working 
day after Christmas, payable out of the Maiden- 
head Inn. 

In satisfaction of this donation, the proprietor 
of the inn, now called the Greyhound, provides 



FISH FOB LENT. 13 

305. worth of bread, which is distributed at the 
house on Plough Monday by the Churchwardens 
and Overseers. — XXII. p. 175. 



FISH FOR THE POOR IN LENT. 

Tottenham, Middlesex, 

It is stated in Lord Coleraine's history of this 
parish, that William Dalby, Fishmonger of Lon- 
don, who died in 1594, gave certain barrels of her- 
rings to be distributed in the beginning of Lent 
to the poorer sort of Tottenham ; that this gift 
was valued at £\0. per annum, as he (Lord C.) had 
seen in an old tablet hung up in the vestry, but 
that it was afterwards settled by the parish at 50s. 
per annum, when Sir Edward Barkham, who had 
most of Dalby^s land in Tottenham, had also some 
tenements near Cheapside, which were Dalby^s, 
and engaged to pay this legacy of 505. a year. 

These houses were burnt down in the fire of 
London, and an abatement was directed to be 
made in consequence thereof by the direction of 
the Judges of the Court of Judicature, out of the 
rent charge of 505. and it was thereby reduced to 
345. 8d. The sum of £2. 2s. is now received by 
the churchwardens in respect of this gift from a 
Mr. John Smith of No. 151, Cheapside.— XIV. 
p. 1G8. 



14 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

VEAL PIES OR APPLE PIES. 

Ducklington, Oxfordshire. 

The Rector of this parish for the time being, 
as long as can be remembered, has paid £10 per 
annum. This was formerly given away in Duck- 
lington Church on Easter day amongst the 
parishioners, in veal pies or apple pies. Of late 
years it has been given in bread. All the parish- 
ioners of Ducklington and Hardwick who apply, 
whether rich or poor, without any distinction, 
partake of it, according to the size of their families. 
Many of the farmers take the bread, as they say, 
for the sake of keeping up their right. It is 
stated that there is no document or record 
relating to this payment, nor any tradition re- 
specting the origin of it. — X. p. 359. 



BEQUEST OF BREAD AND ALE FOR CHILDREN. 

Burgh St. Margaret, Norfolk. 

A piece of land, described in the terrier of 1827 
as two roods, called Plow Light Half Acre, given 
for providing loaves and beer for poor children, 
is let to Christopher Hall, as yearly tenant, at £l. 
per annum. 

This rent is distributed by trustees and other 
inhabitants amongst poor children in halfpenny 
loaves and ale. This has been the custom for 
a great many years. — XXVI. p. 26?. 



BREAD AND MEAT CHARITIES. 15 

HALFPENNY BREAD CHARITY. 

Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire. 

Robert Grainger, by his will dated 10th Octo- 
ber, 1578, gave and appointed as much bread as 
could be made of a coomb of wheat, to be made 
into halfpenny loaves, and to be distributed among 
the poor of Godmanchester by the churchwardens, 
to be charged on his mansion house in Godman- 
chester. 

The present owner of the house pays the value 
of four bushels of wheat, according to the average 
price of wheat, at Huntingdon Market, on the 
Saturday before Good Friday, to a baker, for sup- 
plying bread, which is distributed on Good Friday. 
—XXIV. p. 100. 



BREAD AND MEAT CHARITY. 

Godstone, Surrey. 

Amongst other bequests by James Evelyn, Esq. 
to this parish, is one described as the Bread and 
Meat Charity. By a codicil to his will, dated 3rd 
July, 1793, he recommended that four stone of 
beef should be provided and made into broth, and 
distributed as theretofore during his lifetime, from 
the first Thursday in November to the last Thurs- 
day in April, both days inclusive ; and that a round 
of beef, not weighing less than four stone two pounds 
and not exceeding four stone four pounds, should 



16 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

be provided every Sunday in the year as thereto- 
fore during his lifetime ; and that the schoolmis- 
tress should be allowed after the rate of Id. ahead 
for beer, and Id, a head for bread, for those who 
should partake of it, the number to be asked not 
to be less than twelve, nor to exceed fourteen ; 
and the testator desired that Elizabeth Rivers, of 
Felbridge, spinster, might be a partaker thereof 
during her lifetime ; and that 200 faggots should 
be provided yearly for the schoolmistress to dress 
the meat with, and that she should be allowed 6d. 
a week, from the first Thursday in November to 
the last Thursday in April, for her trouble in pre- 
paring the broth. 

To meet the above expenditure, the dividends 
of £3,500 bank three per cent, annuities are annu- 
ally applied, and the charge amounts to about 
£78. per annum.— XIII. p. 539. 



INDISCRIMINATE CHARITY ON A SMALL SCALE. 

Hampstead, Middlesex. 

There is an indorsement on one of the inden 
tures of gift to this parish, stating that £40. had 
been given by a maid deceased, to the intent that 
the churchwardens of Hampstead for the time 
being should provide and give to every one,(rich 
and poor, great and small, young and old per- 



BREAD AND CHEESE FIELD FEAST. 17 

sons, inhabiting the parish, upon every Good 
Friday yearly for ever, one halfpenny loaf of 
wheaten bread. — XII. p. 147. 



THE CANONS BOUNTIFUL DOLE. 

City of Hereford. 

From the funds of the Cathedral in this city, 
an extensive dole, consisting of 4,360 loaves of 
bread, is annually distributed from the Canons' 
bakehouse amongst the poor of 33 parishes and 
inmates of prisons. — XXXII. pt. ii. p. 14. 



BREAD AND CHEESE FIELD FEAST. 

Westbere, Kent. 

It is generally understood that the rents of a 
field, containing 1 acre, 3 roods, and known by the 
above name, are applicable to the purpose of find- 
ing bread and cheese for e^ery person who slept 
in the parish three nights previous to the first Sa- 
turday after Old Midsummer Day. The rent is 
entered in the churchwarden^ accounts for 1 764, 
and amongst the disbursements is a charge annu- 
ally for bread, cheese., tobacco, and beer, for the 
feast, which is held on the first Saturday after Mid 
summer. 

The land is let to several poor persons as gar- 



18 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

dens, at rents amounting to about £2., which is 
applied towards the expenses of an annual feast, 
of which the poor have the whole benefit.— XXX . 
p. 315. 



BREAD FOR ALL. 

JEdlesborough, Buckinghamshire. 

In the Parliamentary Returns of 1786 a donor 
of the name of Randell is stated to have given by- 
deed in 1597 five quarters of wheat and money 
to the poor. 

Forty-nine bushels of wheat are yearly sent by 
Lady Bridgewater to the mill to be ground in re- 
spect of this charity. They are ground, and the 
flour baked at her expense : the bread is made up 
in four pound loaves, which are given away by the 
parish officers on Easter Monday to all the poor 
of the parish, in shares varying according to the 
size of their families, a loaf being given to each in- 
dividual.— XXVII. p. 84. 



Swerford, Oxfordshire. 

The Rector supplies a small loaf for every house 
in the parish on Easter Sunday, which is given 
after Evening Service. 

It is understood that this is given on account 
of a bushel of wheat, which is payable out of a 



BREAD AND CHEESE LANDS. 19 

field called Mill Close, part of the glebe. Each 
house, whether inhabited by rich or poor, receives 
a loaf.— XII. p. 281. 



BREAD AND CHEESE LANDS. 

Paddington, Middlesex. 

The lands thus denominated are said to have 
been given by two maiden gentlewomen, for the 
purpose of supplying the poor with a donation of 
bread and cheese on the Sunday before Christ- 
mas. Neither the names of the donors nor the 
date of the gift are known, but it is a very ancient 
one. 

The land is about 5a. \r. 31p. in extent, and 
let at £40. 18,9. per annum, which appeared to the 
Commissioners to be adequate to the value of 
the respective premises. 

With the rents of this land it was formerly the 
custom to purchase bread and cheese, which, on 
the Sunday before Christmas, were thrown down 
from the church among the poor assembled in the 
churchyard. 

Latterly a less objectionable mode of distribu- 
tion has been adopted. Bread and coals are 
now given by the minister and parish officers to 
poor families inhabiting the parish, of whom a list 
is made out annually by the churchwardens, stat- 



20 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

ing their residence and occupation, and the num- 
ber of children under 10 years of age, and the 
Commissioners were assured that much care was 
taken in selecting those to receive this gift who 
were most deserving. 

No distinction was made between parishioners 
and unsettled resident poor, nor between such as 
do or do not receive parochial relief. — XIV. p. 18 1 . 



BREA D. 

Horley, Oxfordshire. 

An inscription on a tombstone in Horley church- 
yard states that Thomas Saul, who died 6th March, 
1671, gave to the poor of Horley six dozen of 
bread yearly for ever, to be given at Yellow Well 
on St. Thomas's day. 

Yellow Well is the name of a close about a quar- 
ter of a mile from Horley, belonging to Samuel 
Borton, by whom the sum of 6s. per annum is paid : 
this is laid out in bread, which is given away at 
Yellow Well to poor widows and boys on the day 
above mentioned, the arrears for two or three 
years being sometimes given away together. — XII. 
p. 215. 



BREAD, BEER, BEEF, AND BROTH. 21 

BREAD, BEER, BEEF, AND BROTH, ACCOMPANIED WITH 
A PERPETUATION OF LOYALTY, 

St. Giles's, Norwich. 

John Balliston, by will, 1 7th October, 1584, de- 
vised three tenements in St. Gileses next the Gates 
to certain persons, upon condition that they should 
make distribution to the poor in manner following, 
viz., that in the week before Christmas, the week 
before Michaelmas, and the week after Easter, in 
the church of St. Giles, the minister should request 
the poor people, all that should receive or have 
need of alms, to come to church, and request them 
to pray for the preservation of the Prince, &c. ; 
that the poor should place themselves four and 
/ four together, all that should be above the age of 
\ eleven years, and that every four of them should 
; have set before them a twopenny wheat loaf, a 
gallon of best beer, and four pounds of beef and 
broth; that the minister should have fourpence for 
his pains on each of the three days. 

The rent of £2. a year is paid to the parish for 
the premises, which, with other charities, is laid 
out in the purchase of coals. — XXVII. p. 659. 



22 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

AUXILIARY CHARITY. 

St. Bartholomew by the Royal Exchange, London. 
Several benefactors having given bread to the 
poor of this parish, Richard Crowshaw, Goldsmith, 
by will, 26 April, 1531, directed that £100. should 
be paid to provide 25. weekly for ever, to be laid 
out in good cheese, to be delivered to the poor 
parishioners of this parish, according as they 
received the bread which then was and had been 
long given to them. 

This sum of £100. was received by the parish 
and 25. weekly are paid to a cheesemonger, who 
distributes monthly butter or cheese of the same 
value to eight poor women who are the oldest 
out-pensioners of the parish. — VIII. p. 253. 



BEQUEST OF BEEF, PLUM PUDDING, AND ALE TO BOYS 
AND GIRLS. 

Hornchurch, Essex. 

William Higgs, of Hornchurch, by will, dated 
30th October, 1809, gave £50. stock in the 4 per 
cent, bank annuities to the treasurer for the time 
being of the charity school of Hornchurch, Romford, 
and Havering, upon trust to receive the dividends 
thereof, and lay out the same in the purchase of 
a round of beef and plum puddings, and half a 
pint of ale, to each boy and girl, and which it was 



FEASTING THE POOR. 23 

his desire might be provided and dressed hot for 
dinner for the charity children belonging to the 
said charity school, on the day on which the cha- 
rity sermon was preached for the benefit of the 
said school for ever. — XXXII. p. i. p. 729. 



PLUM PUDDING MONEY. 

Yardley, Worcestershire. 

Such of the poor of this parish as are excluded 
from partaking of certain doles on account of 
receiving regular weekly relief, are allowed Is. 
each out of a general charity fund at Christmas, 
under the name of plum pudding money, to 
the extent of about £4.— XXVI. p. 620. 



FEASTING THE POOR. 

Wetheringsett, Suffolk. 

The Rev. John Shepherd, by will 28th Novem- 
ber, 1*J07, gave 40s. a year (which is charged on 
land called the Church Pightle, in Wetheringsett) 
to be expended as follows, viz. 20s. to buy meat and 
drink for a dinner for 20 poor persons of Wether- 
ingsett and Brockford on Lady Day, 5s. for mak- 
ing ready the dinner, 2s. 6d. to the parson for 
reading prayers before dinner, 2s. 6d. for ringing 
a peal after dinner, and 105. to be distributed 



24 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

among the 20 poor persons : and he further gave 
505. a year (charged on an estate at Kelshall) to 
the parson to buy six twopenny loaves weekly for 
six poor persons of Wetheringsett, to be named 
by him. 

These annuities are paid and applied according 
to the donors intention. — XX. p. 61 7. 



BEEF AND BARLEY. 

Nevern, Pembrokeshire. 

William Rogers^ by will, June, 1806, gave to the 
minister and churchwardens of Nevern and their 
successors, £800. three per cent, consols, to be 
transferred by his executors within six months 
after his decease ; and it was his will that the di- 
vidends should be laid out annually, one moiety 
thereof in good beef, the other moiety in good bar- 
ley, the same to be distributed on every St. Tho- 
mas' day in every year, by the minister and church- 
wardenSj to and among the poor of the said parish 
of Nevern. 

After the payment of £l. to a solicitor in Lon- 
don, and a small amount for a stamp and postage, 
the dividends (£24.) are expended in the purchase 
of beef and barley, which is distributed by the 
churchwarden on 2 1 st December to all the poor 
of the parish, in shares of between two and three 



BARLEY COBBS. 25 

gallons of barley, and between two and three 
pounds of beef.— XXVIII. p. 692. 



CAKE AND ALE CUSTOM. 

Upton St. Leonard^ Gloucestershire. 
A lady of the name of George, living at the 
Parsonage, which she holds together with lands 
under the bishop, (it being a rectory impropriate,) 
has been in the habit of distributing annually cake 
and ale to poor housekeepers of this parish, and it 
is alleged to have been done by the owner of that 
property from time immemorial ; but the origin 
of the custom is now no longer traceable. The 
quantity of ale given is what can be made with 
three bushels of malt, and the bread distributed 
is five dozen of penny and three dozen of two- 
penny loaves. — XVI. p. 60. 



BARLEY COBBS. 

Tainton, Oxfordshire. 

A quarter of barley meal is provided annually 
at the expense of Lord Dynevor, the lord of the 
manor, and made into loaves called Cobbs. 

These used to be given away in Tainton church 
to such of the poor children of Burford as attend- 
ed. A sermon is preached on Saint Thomas's day 

c 



26 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

according to directions supposed to be contained 
in the will of Edmund Harman, 6s. 8d. being also 
paid out of Lord Dynover's estate to the preacher. 
The children used to make so much riot and dis- 
turbance in the church, that about 14 or 15 years 
ago (1809) it was thought better to distribute the 
Cobbs in a stable belonging to one of the church- 
wardens, and this course has been pursued ever 
since.-— XII. p. 284. 



PLUM CAKE LAND. 

Swaffham BulbecJc, Cambridgeshire. 
Before the inclosure, the tenant of the Abbey 
Farm in this parish, during those years in which 
the open field land was under tillage, used to give 
a slice of cake and a glass of ale to all parishioners 
who applied for it. Every third year the land was 
depastured, and the gift consequently interrupted. 
An acre in the open field was known by the name 
of Plum Cake Acre.— XXXI. p. 147. 



FIGS AND ALE. 

Giggleswick, Yorkshire. 

Amongst other directions in the will of William 
Clapham, bearing date the 5 th July 1603, is, that 
the sum of four shillings and four pence should be 



LAND FOR BELLRINGERS* PORK. 27 

yearly bestowed towards a potation amongst the 
/ poor scholars of the Freeschool in Giggleswick, 
on St. Gregory's day. 

The Commissioners report, that they found 
a custom formerly prevailed of giving figs, bread 
and ale, among the scholars on that day ; and 
that at present there is a distribution amongst 
them on the same day of bread and figs, to an 
amount considerably exceeding the sum of four 
shillings and four pence per annum. — XIII. p. 651. 



LAND FOR BELLRINGERs' PORK. 

Harlington, Middlesex, 

It is stated in the register, under the date of 
1683, that half an acre of land was given by some 
person, whose name was forgotten. 

It has always been understood, that this piece 
of land was given for the benefit of the bell- 
ringers of the parish, to provide them with a leg 
jrfjx>rk, for ringing on the 5th of November. It 
is called the Pork Acre. The ground is let by 
the parish officers at 50s. a year, which is paid 
by them to the bellringers. — IX. p. 226. 



C 2 



28 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

FISH AND PEAS, BREAD AND CHEESE. 

Bushey, Hertfordshire. 

In an old parish register, it is stated, that 
" Mr. Gale gave a Haberdine fish, (barrelled cod, 
so called from Aberdeen, which was formerly 
famous for curing this kind of fish,) and half a 
peck of blue peas, to twenty widows and widowers, 
once a year. Half a peck loaf and two pounds of 
cheese to each person are given instead." 

Mr. Clutterbuck, the owner of a field, consist- 
ing of about five acres, lying in the parish of 
Bushey, distributes annually, some time in Lent, 
forty quartern loaves, and forty pounds of cheese, 
among twenty widows and twenty widowers of 
the parish, selected by the Rector. — XXV. p. 
330. 



BEQUEST OF WHEAT. 

Rotherjield, Sussex. 

Sir Henry Fermor, by will, dated in J 732, 
charged his lands, &c. in Hadlow, and Great 
Peckham, in Kent, with the payment of three 
loads of the best wheat bread corn, one of such 
loads to be delivered by the owners of such lands 
&c. on the 10th October in every year, to the 
churchwardens of the parish of Rotherfield, to 
be disposed of to forty industrious poor men and 
women, who should not receive alms of the 



MONTHLY DONATION OF WHEAT. 29 

parish ; such poor people to be chosen, and such 
distribution to be made, by the freeholders of the 
parish at their vestry. 

The Commissioners report, that the wheat is 
not now delivered by the owner and occupier of 
the estate which pays this charge, and which 
is called Goose Green Farm ; but it is purchased 
by the churchwarden at his request, he receiving 
the purchase-money from him. 

It is distributed in accordance with the di- 
rections of the donor. — XXX. p. 7^7- 



MONTHLY DONATION OF WHEAT. 

St. Giles in the Wood, Devonshire. 

A bushel of wheat is provided every lunar 
month by Lord Rolle, ground into flour, and 
made into bread at Stevenstone House, and is 
given there amongst twenty-six labouring poor 
people of the parish of St. Giles, according to 
a list, in which vacancies as they occur are filled 
up by Lord Rolle. The bread used formerly to 
be given at the church every fourth Sunday after 
divine service. 

It is not known from whose donation this 
charity is derived, or at what period it commenced. 
The Returns to Parliament of 1786, state it to be 
the gift from one of the Rolle family. — XL p. 80. 



30 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

DONATIONS OF WHEAT. 

Assington, Suffolk. 
John Winterflood, by will, dated 2d April 
1593, gave to the poor of Assington four bushels 
of meslin, payable out of the manor of Aveley 
Hall, to be distributed in bread at Christmas ; 
and four bushels of meslin out of the rectory or 
priory of Assington, to be distributed in bread 
at Easter ; and under this donation four bushels 
of wheat are brought to Assington Church, and 
distributed among the poor at Christmas ; and the 
like quantity of wheat at Easter, by or on behalf 
of John Gurdon, esq., as owner of the manor 
and farm of Aveley Hall, and the rectorial tithes 
of Assington. — XX. p. 551. 



WHEAT AND BARLEY CUSTOM. 

Great Staughton, Huntingdonshire. 
The rectory estate in this parish, which is now 
the property of General Onslow, is subject to a 
customary payment of four bushels of wheat, and 
ten bushels of barley, for the poor of Great 
Staughton ; and the value thereof, according to 
the market price immediately before Good 
Friday, is paid by General Onslow to the church- 
wardens, and laid out by them in bread, which is 
distributed, on the last mentioned day, amongst 
poor persons at the church. — XXIV. p. 114. 



GIFT OF WHEAT; BARLEY AND RYE. 31 
GIFT OF WHEAT, BARLEY AND RYE, FOR ALMS. 

Godmanchester, Huntingdonshire. 

By a deed; dated 27th January 1443, it was 
provided and agreed that the procters of the 
priory of Morton, to which the rectory of God- 
manchester then belonged, should yearly, in the 
first week in Lent, cause to be delivered, on 
behalf of the said priory, out of the profits of the 
rectory and church, to the vicar and bailiffs of 
Godmanchester, in alms, three quarters of wheat, 
three quarters of rye, and one quarter of barley, 
to be distributed among the poor parishioners at 
the discretion of the vicar and bailiffs ; such 
render to be made in lieu of certain quantities of 
wheat, rye, and peas, which, by ancient custom, 
the priory had been used to distribute every 
Wednesday and Friday weekly. 

In respect of this charity, the tenant of the 
rectory farm at Godmanchester, belonging to the 
Dean and Chapter of Westminster, renders every 
year four quarters of wheat, and three quarters 
of barley, to the minister and bailiffs, who dis- 
tribute the same on the rectory farm on Good 
Friday, among poor persons of the parish. — 
XXIV. p. 99. 



32 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

BEQUEST OF WHEAT AND PEAS. 

Wilmington, Kent. 

In a terrier, exhibited 14th August 1774, at 
the archdeacon* s visitation, a copy whereof is 
entered in the parish register, it is stated, that 
from the establishment of the Dean and Chapter 
of Rochester, in the time of Henry VIII. in 
their leases of the parsonages of Sutton and 
Wilmington, their lessees had covenanted to 
deliver to the parishioners of Sutton and Wil- 
mington a certain quantity of wheat and grain 
at Easter yearly, to be distributed by the church- 
wardens of these parishes to the needy persons 
within the same; and that in their lease of the 
said rectories, granted 25th November 1772, the 
lessee covenanted to deliver twenty bushels of 
peas to be distributed amongst the most needy 
persons in Sutton, and twelve bushels of peas 
amongst the like persons in Wilmington; and 
also to deliver three bushels, of wheat, to be 
distributed amongst the poor of Sutton and 
Wilmington ; and it is added that the usage had 
been for the poor of Wilmington to receive only 
one out of the three bushels of wheat. 

At Christmas 1835, the corn and grain was 
received from Mr. East of Clerkenwell, and was 
distributed amongst about forty poor persons of 
the parish according to the number in family. — 
XXX. p. 399. 



ALLOWANCE OF WHEAT, &C. 33 

CHARITABLE ALLOWANCE OUT OF GREAT TITHES. 

Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire. 

This consists of a yearly contribution of one 
quarter of wheat, one quarter of barley, and one 
quarter of beans, by the proprietor of the great 
tithes of this parish, to be distributed amongst 
the poor of the parish on Good Friday. 

This charity has existed for a great many 
years, and is ascribed to the bounty of a family 
named Bray, who formerly resided in the parish, 
and owned the great tithes ; but there are no 
writings relative to it now to be found in the 
parish, and the Commissioners had not been able 
to ascertain any further particulars concerning 
its origin. 

The great tithes of Eaton Bray are vested in 
the master and fellows of Trinity College, Cam- 
bridge, by whose lessee the quantity of grain 
above specified is regularly supplied ; the whole 
of which is distributed on Good Friday by the 
churchwardens and overseers, among poor persons 
selected by them, in proportions suitable to their 
several wants and necessities. — VI. p. 36. 



c 3 



34 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

INDISCRIMINATE GIFT OF PEAS IN LENT. 

Great WitcJiingham, Norfolk. 

P. Le Neve Foster, esq., who in 1835 held the 
rectorial tithes of this parish, under a lease from 
the warden and fellows of New College, Oxford, 
was bound, by a covenant contained therein, to 
provide and distribute to and amongst the poor 
inhabitants and parishioners of Witchingham St. 
Mary, as before time it had been accustomed, two 
seams of peas, containing in all sixteen bushels. 

The practice has been to give to every person 
who happens to be in the parish on Ash 
Wednesday, whether rich or poor, inhabitants 
or strangers, one quart of peas each ; and in this 
manner, Mr. Foster has given away annually 
upwards of eighteen bushels of peas. — XXIX. 
p. 622. 



BEQUEST OF WHITE PEAS. 

Sawston, Cambridgeshire. 

John Huntingdon, by will, dated 4th August 
1554, devised lands and tenements to Joice his 
wife, and his heirs, upon condition that his heirs 
should yearly for ever sow two acres of land, 
lying together in Linton field, with white peas, 
one combe to be yearly bestowed upon each acre, 
for the relief of the people of Sawston. 

Two acres, the property of Richard Huddle- 



BEQUEST OF RYE. 35 

stone, esq. the lord of the several manors in the 
parish, are annually sowed with white peas, as 
directed by the will, which are gathered green 
on a day fixed by Mr. Cooper, the occupier of the 
land, by all the poor indiscriminately, when a 
complete scene of scramble and confusion ensues; 
attended with occasional conflicts. — XXXI. p. 
205. 



BEQUEST OF RYE FOR THE POOR. 

Exning, Suffolk. 

There is a customary payment made for the 
poor by the owner of the impropriate rectory of 
Exning, of ten coombs of rye, or the value 
thereof. 

Mr. Bryant, of Newmarket, the owner, pays 
the value of ten coombs, determined according 
to the average price of rye for the year, which is 
distributed to the poor in proportion to the size 
of their families.— XXII. p. 163. 



BEQUEST OF RYE. 

Alrewas, Staffordshire. 

On a table in the church, entitled, " Benefac- 
tions left to the poor of Alrewas, to be distributed 
yearly for ever," there is the following in- 
scription : — 



36 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

"Sixteen bushels of rye, one half on St. 
Thomas's day, the other half on Good Friday, 
to be paid from those that hold the great tithe 
of this parish." 

It is not known with whom this benefaction 
originated, but it has existed beyond the memory 
of any one now living in the parish. The rye 
is apportioned, in proportion to the assessment 
to the rates, between the townships of Alrewas, 
Fradley, and Orgreave, into which the parish is 
divided. In Alrewas, the distribution is made 
by the churchwarden, who gives it to those 
whom he thinks most in need, principally to 
widows, apportioning it according to the size of 
their families. In Fradley and Orgreave, the 
benefaction has been divided, upon a similar 
principle, into one, two, or three quarters* to a 
family. The rye is paid for by Lord Anson, the 
present owner of the great tithe. — VII. p. 290. 



LIBERAL BEQUEST OF OATMEAL. 

Ince, Lancashire. 

Under the name of Richardson's Charity, a 
distribution takes place annually on the feast of 
the Ascension, of Jive loads of oatmeal, each load 
weighing two hundred and forty pounds. Three 

* So in original, but qu. quarts. 



TOWN MALT. 37 

loads are given to the poor of the township of 
Ince, one to the poor of Abram, and the other 
to the poor of Hindley. 

The meal is provided by Mr. Cowley of Widnes, 
the owner of an estate in Ince, formerly the 
property of Edward Richardson, who, the Com- 
missioners were informed, directed by his will 
that this distribution should be made for fifty 
years from the time of his death. The year 1 784 
was given as the date of this benefaction in the 
Returns made to Parliament in 1786. Mr. Cowley 
has himself had the disposal of the charity. — 
XXI. p. 308. 



TOWN MALT. 

Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire. 

A quarter of malt is annually received from 
the occupier of a field called Askams, the property 
of Richard Huddlestone, esq. It is stated to 
be given in lieu of the after-feed of this piece of 
land, which formerly belonged to the parish. It 
is brewed into beer, which is given away on the 
day when the bounds of the parish used to be 
beaten before the inclosure. — XXXI. p. 214. 



38 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

WINE TO CHEER THE HEART. 

Gloucester. 

Gregory Wiltshire, by will, dated 8th Sept. 
1585, gave to the chamber of the city of Glouces- 
ter for ever £100, to the intent, that, within one 
month after the receipt of the same, it should be 
delivered, by the appointment of the mayor and 
aldermen, with the consent of the overseers of 
his will, unto five clothiers of the same city ; that 
is to say, unto every of them £20 a-piece for 
ten years together, putting in good assurance for 
the same, giving nothing for the use thereof, but 
only yearly every one of them a gallon of wine du- 
ring the whole ten years, at the new mayor's ban- 
quet on the day of his election, of which three gal- 
lons should be presented to the mayor, and two 
gallons to the four stewards, then elected; 
provided always, that after the end of ten years, 
it should be delivered to five other clothiers of 
the same city, by the consents and conditions 
aforesaid, and so be employed for ever. 

It appeared by the city accounts, under the 
head of charity money, and from inferences 
arising thereon, that all had been lost except 
£20 lent to one Evans; but, as low down as 
1793, this charity was thus commemorated : — 

" Mr. Wiltshire's gift of £100, to be lent to five 



DRINKING. 39 

tradesmen for five years, they paying a gallon 
of wine yearly, now in hand." 

It was urged by the corporation, that the 
phrase ec now in hand " was meant to be applied 
only to the £20 lent to Evans, and repaid by 
him; and it certainly seems as if the statement 
last adverted to was copied from former lists 
into the book by the city accountant. — XIV. p. 
32. 



DRINKING. 

Slinfold, Sussex. 

Edward Cooper, by his will, dated 10th 
February 1621, gave 20s. a-year out of lands 
called Whitbers in Slinfold, 15s. thereof to be 
bestowed by the churchwardens and overseers 
upon a drinking, for the use of the poor of the 
parish yearty, at the feast day of the Purification 
of the Virgin, in as good sort as they could, and 
the other 5s. to drink withal themselves, for 
their labour and pains therein. 

The land is now called South Whitbreads and 
the property of Edward Bruce Bunney, esq., who 
regularly pays the sum of £l yearly, which is 
distributed amongst the poor at Christmas, by 
the churchwardens and overseers. — XXX. p. 638. 



40 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

A SINGULAR BENEFACTION OF BARLEY, TO PROMOTE 
EDUCATION. 

Great Coxwell, Berks. 

It appears, from a tablet without date in the 
church, that the Reverend David Collier charged 
certain lands in the hamlet of Little Coxwell 
with the payment of eight bushels of barley 
yearly, on the 29th of September, for teaching 
two poor children of this parish to read, write, 
and cast accounts, for three years, when they 
were to be succeeded by two others, to be taught 
for the same term, and so on successively for 
ever ; and he empowered the vicar and church- 
wardens, or the major part of them, (the vicar 
being always one,) to nominate the children. 

The land charged with this annual payment 
was in 1819 the property of Robert Baldwin. 
The payment has been regularly made, some- 
times in kind, but latterly in money, estimated 
at the price of barley at the Farringdon Market 
the nearest to the day when the annual payment 
becomes due; according to this estimate, the 
last amounted to £3. 10s. The payment is 
made, under the direction of the churchwardens, 
to a schoolmistress, for teaching three children 
to read, and, if girls, to work also. The number 
of children was formerly two only, who were 
further taught to write and cast accounts, but 



PETTICOAT LAND CUSTOM. 41 

this part of their education was discontinued 
many years ago, in consequence of the inadequacy 
of the fund, and, instead thereof, an additional 
child was sent to be instructed with the others, 
on the more limited scale, which is at present 
observed. The children are duly appointed by 
the vicar and churchwardens, and continue at 
school for three years. — I. p. 27. 



PETTICOAT LAND CUSTOM. 

Stockton-in-the-Forest, Yorkshire. 

A small piece of ground, being a rood or there- 
abouts, in this parish, called Petticoat Hole, 
the property of Mrs. Ware, of York, is held 
subject to an ancient custom of providing a 
petticoat yearly for a poor woman of Stockton, 
selected by the owner of the land. The piece 
of ground was formerly separated from the con- 
tiguous land, but is now thrown into one field, 
with a fourteen-acre close adjoining, belonging 
to Mrs. Ware, and let therewith. 

Mrs. Ware supplies a blue serge gown in lieu 
of a petticoat every winter, to a poor woman of 
Stockton.— VIII. p. 720. 



42 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

BEQUEST OF FLANNEL AND CLOTH TO ONE 
HUNDRED PLACES. 

Ashbome, Derbyshire. 

This is one of the parishes entitled to partake 
of a noble charity, the foundation of which is 
thus recorded : — 

By indenture, bearing date 6th December 
18 17> between the Reverend Francis Gisborne, of 
Staveley, in the county of Derby, of the one part, 
and the honourable Philip Pleydell Bouverie and 
three clergymen of the other part, reciting that 
the said Francis Gisborne, wishing to establish 
a fund for providing flannel and coarse woollen 
cloth for the poor of the several rectories, &c. 
mentioned in the schedule to such indenture 
annexed, being one hundred in number, had in- 
vested £13,500 in the purchase of £16,167. 135. 4d. 
three per cent, consolidated bank annuities, in 
the names of the said parties of &he second part, 
to the intent that they might stand possessed 
thereof upon the trusts thereinafter declared; 
it was witnessed, that, for declaring the trusts of 
the said stock, it was agreed that the said parties 
of the second part, their executors, &c. should 
stand possessed thereof on trust that they should 
yearly receive the dividends, and, after retaining 
sufficient to satisfy the expenses incurred in the 
execution of the trust, should pay the residue 



BEQUEST OF FLANNEL AND CLOTH. 43 

yearly, amongst the rectors, vicars, curates or 
ministers, or, in case of their absence, the church- 
wardens of the several rectories, &c. in such 
shares as the said parties of the second part, or 
the trustees for the time being, should think 
proper, but so that no rector, &c. should have 
more than £5. 10s. in any one year; and the 
donor directed that each rector, &c. should apply 
the dividends yearly paid to him in the purchase 
of flannel and coarse Yorkshire woollen cloth, 
and should in his discretion, at Christmas yearly, 
distribute the same among such of the poor 
residing within the parish in which his rectory, 
&c. should be situate, whether they should or 
should not have received the benefit of parochial 
relief, and whether they should have obtained a 
legal settlement therein or not, in such shares as 
to the said rector, &c. should seem expedient. 
And he also directed that, as often as by the 
death or removaf or refusal to act of any trustee, 
the number should be reduced to two, the sur- 
vivors should nominate other persons to be 
trustees, the Archdeacon of Derby for the time 
being to be one, notwithstanding there should 
be three other acting trustees, unless he should 
refuse to act ; and that transfers of the said stock 
should be made accordingly. 

The said Francis Gisborne, by his will, dated 
7th May 1818, after making various bequests, 



44 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

directed that all the residue of his personal 
estate should be divided into three equal parts, 
one part whereof he gave to the infirmary at 
Sheffield, another to the infirmary at Derby, and 
the remaining third part to the said Philip 
Pleydell Bouverie, and the other trustees before 
mentioned, upon the same trusts as were de- 
clared concerning the before-mentioned sum of 
£16,167. 135. 4d., and he appointed Edmund 
Antrobus, esq. executor of his will. 

In July 1821 Mr. Gisborne died, and his 
executor divided the residue of the personal 
estate according to the directions of the will ; in 
respect of the third part appropriated to this 
charity, he transferred £4083 three per cent, 
consolidated annuities, and £2643 three per cent, 
reduced annuities, into the names of Mr. Bouverie 
and the Reverend Mr. Field, and also paid to 
them £116. 14s. 5d. in money, their two co-trustees 
being then dead. 

The total amount of the stock given by the 
said deed and will is £22,893. 13s. 4d. producing 
£686. 16s. Sd. per annum. 

After taking credit for all the payments due 
from the charity to Christmas 1825, there then 
remained in the hands of Messrs. Bouverie and 
Co. a balance of £329. 9s. 5d. The trustees had 
presented a petition to the Court of Chancery, 
praying for a reference to one of the masters of 



BEQUEST OF FLANNEL AND CLOTH. 



45 



the court, to approve of a scheme for the disposal 
of the surplus income, beyond the amount limited 
by the donor for each place. 

The Schedule referred to in the indenture 
contains the names of the following places, to 
partake of Mr. Gisborne's charity. 



Ashborne. 


Brampton. 


Ashover. 


Castleton. 


Alfreton. 


Carsington. 


Ashford. 


Chesterfield. 


Atlow. 


Chapel-en-le- Frith 


Bonsall. 


Clowne. 


Bakewell. 


Crich. 


Buxton. 


Chelmorton. 


Bradley. 


Derwent. 


Bradborne. 


Darley. 


Barlbrough. 


Dethick. 


Barlow. 


Denby. 


Beighton. 


Dronfield. 


Bentley. 


Dore. 


Blackwell. 


Duffield. 


Brassington. 


Edale. 


Bolsover. 


Eckington. 


Belper. 


Elmton. 


Baslow. 


Eyam. 


Beeley. 


Elton. 


Ballidon. 


Edensor. 


Brimington. 


Fairfield. 



46 



REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 



Glossop. 

Hartington. 

Hathersage. 

Hartshorn. 

Heage. 

Hope. 

Hault Hucknall. 

Heath. 

Heanor. 

Hayfield. 

Horsley. 

Hognaston. 

Holmesfield. 

Ilkeston. 

Kirk Ireton. 

Kniveton. 

Kirk Hallam. 

Killaraarsh. 

Longstone. 

Matlock. 

Mellor. 

Morton. 

Mugginton. 

Monyash. 

Middleton Stoney. 

Mickleover. 

North Wingfield. 

Norton. 

Normanton Temple. 



Ockbrook. 

Peak forest. 

Pleasley. 

Pinxton. 

Pentrich. 

Parwich. 

Shirland. 

South Normanton. 

Spondon. 

Sterndale. 

ScarclifTe. 

South Wingfield. 

Sutton cum Duck- 

manton. 
Sheldon. 
Smalley. 
Tideswell. 
Tibshelf. 
Taddington. 
Turnditch. 
West Hallam. 
Wirksworth. 
Whittington. 
Whitwell. 
Wormhill. 
Winster. 
Winger worth. 
Youlgreave. 

XVII. p. 72. 



MEDICINAL CHARITIES. 4j 

A MOST BENEFICIAL CHARITY. 

St. Andrew, Holborn, London. 
In the year 1821 a sum of one hundred pounds 
was given by a lady, who desired that her name 
should not be made public, the interest whereof 
she directed to be annually given by the minister 
and churchwardens to six poor lying-in women, 
the wives of Irishmen residing in the Saffron Hill 
Liberty of the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn. 
This was invested in the 4 per cents., and the di- 
vidend is placed in the hands of the collector and 
agent for a lying-in charity in the parish, who ap- 
plies it according to the directions of the donor, 
and gives an account of the application to the rec- 
tor and churchwardens. — XIV. p. 122. 



MEDICINAL CHARITY. 

Whitsbury, Wilts. 

A tablet outside the tower of Whitsbury Church 
records that Charles Delafaye, esq., of Whitsbury, 
bequeathed £200 South Sea annuities for the bene- 
fit of the poor of that parish, the interest of which was 
to be laid out annually in physic or surgery for the 
recovery of industrious distressed objects, who 
were disabled from work by sickness or accident. 
If but few should need this relief, and the annual 
produce should not be expended in any one year, 
the surplus should be applied in the putting out 



48 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

a poor boy apprentice. This benefaction was not 
intended to free the parish from giving all neces- 
sary assistance to the distressed or disabled poor, 
and was not to be continued to any object for 
more than three months. 

From 1827 to 1832 the parish was so healthy 
that no medical assistance was required amongst 
that portion of the industrious poor as needed not 
parochial relief, and to which class the gift seems 
to have been confined. 

In 1832, £30 was paid as a premium with an 
apprentice. The vicar keeps an account of the 
charity.— XXVI. p. 519. 



poor men's land. 
Winterslow, Wilts. 

There is some land in this parish called the Poor 
Folks' Grounds, the rent of which is annually ap- 
plied for their benefit. How it was acquired is 
not certain, nor are there any writings relating to 
it. It is supposed to have been given to the poor 
as a compensation for their surrender of a right 
of commonage in other parts of the parish many 
years previous to the inclosure of Winterslow 
[common]*, which took place about 1767* 

* This appears necessary to complete the meaning : 
no doubt but the word was accidentally omitted in 
compiling the original report. 



BEQUEST OF BARLEY. 49 

The Commissioners could not obtain an exact 
account of the precise bounds of the ground, but 
it is well known, and measures about 15 acres. 
One part of it was let to Thomas Bell at £7 a year 
rent, and another part to J. N. Curtis at a rent of 
£16. lis. 

All the poor in the parish meet together and 
settle this business. They derive from the land 
above half a crown a-piece. It is managed for 
them by a person appointed by themselves, to 
whom they give 2s. a year for collecting the rents, 
which are honestly divided. 

Curtis's land was let by auction, and the rent 
of £16. lis. is the utmost value.— XXVI. p. 459. 



widows' hospital. 
Hunmanby, Yorkshire. 
The origin of this charity is wholly unknown, 
and there are no documents in existence by which 
the particulars of it can now be traced. The 
chief feature of interest in connexion with it is, 
that each widow receives from Humphrey Osbal- 
deston, esq. a customary allowance of one peck 
of barley a month. The number of widows, from 
the indifference of the accommodation, seldom ex- 
ceeds four. — X. p. 654. 



50 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

BEQUEST TO PROVIDE AN ASYLUM FOR MAIDEN 
GENTLEWOMEN IN THEIR OLD AGE. 

York, Masons' Hospital. 

Mary Wandesford of the city of York, spinster, 
by will, 4 Nov. 1725, gave all her lands, &c. to 
the Archbishop of York and others, in trust for 
the use and benefit of ten poor gentlewomen, 
who were never married, and should be of the 
religion practised in the Church of England, who 
should retire from the noise and hurry of the 
w T orld into a religious house ; a protestant retire- 
ment to be provided for them where they should 
be obliged to continue for life ; and she directed 
that if any person elected into that society by 
the trustees, (whom she constituted and appointed 
perpetual electors,) should withdraw herself from 
the house, or should marry or behave herself 
unsuitably to the design and rules of the found- 
ation, the trustees should remove her, and fill her 
place with another gentlewoman. 

And she directed her trustees to purchase a 
convenient habitation for the said poor gentle- 
women, where they might all live together under 
one roof, and make a small congregation, once 
at least every day at prayers, such as her trustees 
should think proper for their ease and circum- 
stances, and she appointed £10 per annum to be 
paid to a reader, who should be appointed by 
her trustees. 



BEQUEST TO THE OLDEST WIDOW. 51 

The maiden gentlewomen admitted, are ap- 
pointed by the trustees on petition, stating the 
age, place of abode, and means of the petitioner ; 
that she has lived in the communion of the 
Church of England, is of sober life and con- 
versation, and of respectable character. Proof 
is required, that she is above the age of fifty 
years.— IV. p. 378. 



BEQUEST TO THE OLDEST WIDOW IN THE PARISH. 

Albury, Hertfordshire. 

There was formerly a house upon Up wick 
Green, now in ruins, to which a quarter of an 
acre of land belonged, the occupier whereof pays 
an annual rent of Ss. to the oldest widow in the 
parish. 

The vicar and parish officers have no document 
to shew the manner in which this land came to 
the parish, but the commissioners were assured 
that they would attend to the letting of the 
property, and exercise a due vigilance over it. — 
XXIX. p. 337. 



d 2 



52 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

SIR JOHN POPHAM'S ALMS HOUSES. 

Wellington, Somerset, 

This institution owes its origin to Sir John 
Popham, formerly Lord Chief Justice of England, 
who caused it to be erected for the maintenance 
of twelve poor and impotent or aged people, such 
as had been of honest fame and of a good report, 
especially true working or labouring people, 
whereof six to be men, and the most discreet of 
them to be the president of the men, and six 
other to be women, and the most modest and 
discreet of them to be the matron of the women, 
and for the education of two poor men's children 
fatherless and motherless, not being base born, 
until such time as they should be nine years old 
or bound apprentice. — After directing provision 
for the inmates, Sir John further ordered, " that 
f one piece of timber should be set up over-against 
the said hospital, in or near the footpath of the 
highway there, with an iron box upon it, to be 
close locked, with a notch in the top, to receive into 
the same box the charity of such people as did 
pass, either on horseback or on foot, which every 
night should be taken out by the president and 
matron, and each of them should have a key 
thereof, or in their default, by one other man or 
woman of the hospital, and to be punctually told 
and to be put into some strong chest to be 



A PARLIAMENT MAN. 53 

provided for that purpose, the keys whereof to 
be always kept by some one of the governors 
to be opened but once every quarter, and then 
the amount should be bestowed or employed for 
the use of the hospital, and of the persons in it. 

The Commissioners' Report is silent as to the 
amount received by this highway poorbox. — 
XV. p. 398. 



THE GRATITUDE OF A REPRESENTATIVE IN 
PARLIAMENT. 

Warwick, 

Henry Archer, esq. late of Hale in the county 
of Southampton, by will, dated the 5th November 
1764, gave the sum of £500 to the poor of the 
borough of Warwick, in grateful remembrance 
of the very great honour conferred on him by the 
said borough (which he represented in Parlia- 
ment) for thirty years and upwards, to be 
disposed of, and managed to the best advantage 
of the said poor by his brother Lord Archer, the 
Earl of Warwick, and Matthew Wise, esq., and 
by the respective vicars, churchwardens and 
overseers of the poor of the parishes of St. Mary 
and St. Nicholas in the said borough for the time 
being. 

The interest is employed in purchasing coals 



54 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

in the summer, and selling them to the poor at a 
reduced price in winter. — XVII. p. 538. 



CAT AND DOG MONEY. 

Christchurch, Spitalfields, Middlesex, 
A benefaction table in the church states that, 
by a decree of Chancery 23rd November 1797, 
in a cause between the Attorney General and 
Friend, and a subsequent order of 8th August 
1806, the annual sum of £16. 95. 2d., being the 
dividends on £548. 1 2s. lid. three per cent. Bank 
annuities, is payable to the churchwardens of this 
parish, and of the parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal 
Green, pursuant to the will and codicil of John 
George Fabry, such interest (after deducting 
£2. 2s. half yearly, as directed by the codicil,) to 
be divided amongst six poor widows of weavers 
of the names of Fabry or Ovington.* 

The tradition in the parish is, that the money 
was given in the first instance for the support of 
cats and dogs ; and it is called the Cat and Dog 
Money. No information can be obtained of the 
date of the will by which this charity is bequeathed. 
The money is always distributed at a public ves- 
try.— XXXIL part ii. p. 548. 

* Of the/age of 50 years or upwards, and the pre- 
ference to be given to those of good character. 



PENNY CUSTOM OR DOLE. 55 

PENNY CHARITY CUSTOM OR DOLE. 

Walsall, Staffordshire. 

There is an annual payment called Moseley's 
Dole, which the corporation, are accustomed to make 
of a penny a-piece to all the inhabitants of the 
parish of Walsall, and of the adjoining parish of 
Rushall, which is supposed to have anciently 
formed part of that of Walsall. 

Three persons are employed to make the dis- 
tribution, who begin on New Year's Day, and go 
through the parishes, giving a penny to every 
inmate of every house, whether permanently or 
accidentally abiding there. 

It is said in Plot's History of Staffordshire that 
the earliest mention of this dole is in the 36th 
Henry VIII., when £J. 10s. 9d. discharged it. 

The first trace of it that is found in the docu- 
ments of the Corporation is in 1632, when its 
amount was £14. 95. 4d. The amount increased 
gradually till 1 ?99, when it was £60., and it has 
continued within a few shillings of that sum ever 
since. 

There are different traditions respecting the 
origin of this dole, which it is not necessary to 
notice, but they concur in attributing it to one 
Thomas Moseley, from whom an estate at Bascott 
in Warwickshire was derived, which is now poss- 
essed by the Corporation. From this, among other 
causes, has arisen a suspicion that the whole of 



56 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

that estate under the various grants thereof was 
given and is now held by the Corporation in trust 
for charitable uses ; but the Commissioners, after 
noticing various grants and deeds from 1447 to 
1 820, observe as follows : — " It does not appear to 
us that these documents afford any satisfactory 
inference that this property was granted by Queen 
Elizabeth to charitable uses : no such purpose 
is expressed in the grant itself f (alluding to a be- 
lief entertained to that effect by a Jury in a com- 
mission for charitable uses, 1 726;) "the Corporation 
appear always to have exercised the management 
of the property, and the administration of its re- 
venue. The dole, which was paid from it before 
the grant from the Crown, and which the Cor- 
poration have continued since, seems to have 
originated in a voluntary appropriation of a part of 
the income, and not in any condition of either of 
the original grants by which the property was ac- 
quired," &c. " With respect to the dole itself, it ap- 
pears to us to be at the present day a very useless 
mode of employing a large sum of money, which 
in other ways might be made productive of conside- 
rable benefit. 

" Believing it, therefore, to be, though a very 
ancient yet a voluntary, and therefore a revocable, 
payment, we think it is strongly to be recom- 
mended to the Corporation to substitute for it some 
other mode of application, which might render 
the fund really beneficial."— IX. p. 573—577- . 



CUSTOM MONEY. 57 

parson's horse money. 
Yapham-cum-Meltonby, Yorkshire. 
There is an ancient payment of 35. 4d. as the 
value of a pound of pepper, made out of the cha- 
pel lands, as due to the occupier of a certain farm 
in Yapham, for taking care of the parson's horse, 
which he is bound to do whenever the parson goes 
there to do duty. — XI. p. 741. 



CHRISTMAS DINNER MONEY. 

Great JBarr, Staffordshire. 

In Shaw's History of Staffordshire is mentioned 
a custom formerly prevalent in this parish, for the 
rector on every Christmas Day to give to every 
person, great and small, of his parish, that would 
then come to his house, as much bread, beef, mus- 
tard and vinegar as they could eat, but which had 
of late years been commuted for a money pay- 
ment. 

The Commissioners were informed by an old 
parishioner that he had often heard his father 
speak of this dinner as having been usually given 
in his time. It has for many years been discon- 
tinued, and, instead thereof, the rector of Aldridge 
now gives to every housekeeper who demands it 
in Aldridge 6d. and in Barr 8^., which is called 
Custom Money. The origin of the custom is un- 
known.— XII. p. 542. 

\ d 3 



58 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

LOTTERY LUCK. 

Woodstock, Oxfordshire. 

By indenture, dated December, 1738, between 
Sarah Cocks, daughter and executrix of Sir Ro- 
bert Cocks, baronet, deceased, and Sir Robert 
Cocks, baronet, son and heir of the baronet de- 
ceased, reciting that the said deceased baronet had 
about 1/19 purchased several tickets in the then 
state lottery, and before the drawing thereof had 
publicly declared that if any or either of them 
should come up a prize, he would apply the money 
arising therefrom to the use of the poor of the 
borough of New Woodstock; also reciting that 
one of the said* tickets was drawn a prize of £1000, 
which said prize had been sold for the sum of £800; 
that Sir Robert had constantly applied the interest 
to the use of the borough up to the time of his 
death ; that, as he had not left any direction in his 
will concerning it, and the said Sarah Cocks being 
charitably inclined, and desirous to execute the 
design of her father, had purchased an estate in the 
parish of Arncott of the yearly value of £36. ; it was 
witnessed that she granted the same to her brother 
the said Sir Robert Cocks and his heirs in trust, 
to apply the rents and profits for certain uses in 
such indenture more particularly expressed, for 
the benefit of the inhabitants of the said borough 
of New Woodstock. The lands consist of 75 acres, 



FEASTING CUSTOM. 59 

and the profits are applied chiefly in educating and 
apprenticing poor children. — XII. p. 323. 



STONE PICKING MONEY. 

Williamscot, Oxfordshire. 
The sum of one pound is paid annually, by 
Mr. Brewerton of North Aston, as being charged 
upon a farm called Fearn Hill in Williamscot : 
it is called stone picking money, and is given at 
the rate of Ad. a head to all the women and 
children as far as it will go. — XII. p. 191. 



FEASTING CUSTOM. 

Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire. 
There is a house in this hamlet, called St. 
MarthVs house, in the wall of which is a stone, 
bearing the following inscription : — 

" This house was settled on the parish officers 
of this town, for the annual observance of St. 
Martin's day/' — " Anno Domini, 1752/" 

The house is let at £5. As. per annum, and 
the rent, after defraying the expense of repairs, 
is laid out in giving an entertainment to the 
inhabitants of the town. — XXVII. p. 188. 



60 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

LOVE FEASTS. 

London, Weavers' Company, 
By indenture, bearing date 11th April, 1691, 
John Hall granted a messuage in the parish of 
St. Martin Orgar, to Francis Kenton and another, 
in trust to pay out of the rents thereof, amongst 
other sums, 105. a year to the churchwardens of 
the parish of St. Clement Eastcheap, London, 
on the Thursday next before Easter, to provide 
two turkies for the parishioners, to be eaten at 
their annual feast, called the reconciling or love 
feast, usually made on that day. 

The house is in the possession of the Weavers' 
Company, who make the payment for the 
turkies annually. — VIII. p. 391. 



THE BIDDENDEN MAIDS' CHARITY. 

Biddenden, Kent. 

An inscription in the church states, that 
twenty acres of land, consisting of five pieces, 
bounded east by the glebe land and by the king's 
highway south, and another piece bounded by 
the king's highway north, were let at the yearly 
rent of £31. 10s. which was distributed by 
the churchwardens yearly, with the consent of 
the parishioners, for the relief of the poor. 

This land is supposed to have been given by 



THE BIDDENDEN MAIDS CHARITY. 61 

Eliza and Mary Chulkhurst, commonly called 
the Biddenden Maids, and the annual rent is, 
together with Taylor's and Hoopers charity, given 
in part to poor widows belonging to the parish : 
those who do not receive parochial relief, have 
the choice of £\. 4s. in money, or 4s. and one 
hundred fagots; those who are in receipt of 
parish relief, receive 2s. each. The residue, after 
the before mentioned distribution has been 
effected, is expended in the purchase of flour, 
which is made into loaves and rolls, and a 
quantity of cheese. The rolls are very small, 
and are given as a remembrance of the donors, 
each of them having the figure of the two sisters 
impressed on it.* 

Every Easter Sunday, after evening service, a 
quartern loaf with nearly a pound of cheese is 
given to such poor persons as apply, and a 
similar distribution takes place on the Tuesday 
following. Every poor family in the parish 

* See one of these cakes, engraved in Ducarel's 
Repertory of the Dioceses of Canterbury and Rochester, 
1782, p. 137 ; and another pattern in Hone's Every-Day 
Book, vol. ii. 443. From their figures on the cakes, the 
maids have been supposed twins united at the hips and 
shoulders, born in 1 100, and to have lived in that state 
for 34 years ; but Hasted regards this as a vulgar tradi- 
tion, and says the real name of the donors of the gift 
was Preston. 



62 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

receives on each of these days one loaf of bread 
with the cheese above mentioned and one of the 
rolls, and if there be any surplus remaining, it 
is given to those who appear to be most in 
need. The sum distributed in 1835 amounted to 
£75. 7s. 6d.—XXX. p. 514. 



BEQUEST OF BEANS AND BARLEY, TO GET FREE OF 
A CHANCERY SUIT. 

Thorpe St. Peter s, Lincolnshire. 

By indenture, dated February, 1663, Ann 
Watts, in consideration that a suit in Chancery 
against her should cease, and be withdrawn, did 
covenant and grant that she should pay to the 
churchwardens and overseers of the town of 
Thorpe yearly, on Good Friday, one seam_of 
beans, and one seam of barley, of good and 
merchantable corn, at the church porch, to be 
distributed amongst the poor of the same town, 
at the discretion of the churchwardens and 
overseers, with power of distress on the im- 
propriate parsonage of Thorpe or the lands 
thereof, in default. 

The Commissioners report that for a number 
of years past no beans or barley have been 
furnished to the poor, the charity having been 
distributed in money. — XXXII. part iv. p. 546. 



BULL BAITING. 63 

PROVIDING FOR A WET DAY. 

Castlerigg, Cumberland. 

Thomas Williamson, by will, dated 14th Dec. 
1674, gave the sum of £20 to be laid out in land 
to be bestowed upon poor people, born within 
St. John's Chapelry or Castlerigg, in mutton or 
veal, at Martinmas yearly, when flesh might be 
thought cheapest, to be by them pickled or hung 
up and dried, that they might have something 
to keep them within doors upon stormy days. 

The money now belonging to this charity is 
£40.— V. p. 82. 



BULL BAITING. 

Wokingham, Berks. 

George Staverton, by will, in May, 1661, gave 
out of his Staines house a yearly sum of £6. to 
buy a bull, which bull he gave to the poor of Wo- 
kingham town and parish, being baited, and the 
gift money, hide, and offal to be sold and bestowed 
upon the poor children in stockings of the Welsh, 
and shoes. 

Until 1823 the baiting of the animal took place 
yearly on the 21st December, in the Market place 
of Wokingham. In that year the Corporation 
determined upon discontinuing such a proceeding, 
which has since accordingly been omitted. In 



64 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

Christmas 1835, the mob broke open in the night 
the place where one of the animals was kept, and 
baited it, in spite of the magistrates to prevent 
them ; and similar attempts have been made on 
other occasions. — XXXII. pt. i. p. 220 (corrected 
from private information.) 



BOTELERS BULL CHARITY. 

Biddenham, Bedfordshire. 

This is an ancient annual payment of £5. out 
of an estate at Biddenham, formerly belonging to 
the family of Boteler, and now the property of 
Lord Viscount Hampden, which is due and regu- 
larly paid on St. Thomas's Day to the overseers of 
the poor, and is applicable by the terms of the ori- 
ginal gift (of which no written memorial is to be 
found) or by long established usage, to the pur- 
chase of a bull, which is killed, and the flesh there- 
of given among the poor persons of the parish. 

For many years past the annual fund being in- 
sufficient to purchase a bull, the deficiency has 
been made good out of other charities belonging 
to the parish. It was proposed some years ago by 
the vicar that the £5 . a year should be laid out in 
buying meat, but the poor insisted on the custom- 
ary purchase of a bull being continued, and the 
usage is accordingly kept up. 



PARISH BULL. 65 

The price of the bull has varied of late years 
from £9. to £14. The churchwardens, overseers, 
and principal inhabitants assist at the distribu- 
tion of the meat. — VI. p. 32. 

WHITSUNTIDE BEER. 

There is an ancient customary donation of a 
quantity of malt, made annually at Whitsuntide 
by the proprietor of Kempston Mill, near this pa- 
rish. The malt is always delivered to the over- 
seers of the poor for the time being, and brewed by 
them into ale, which is distributed among all the 
poor inhabitants of Biddenham on Whit Tuesday. 

(The Report is silent as to the quantity of malt 
given, or ale dispensed.) — VI. p. 33. 



PARISH BULL. 

Twickenham, Middlesex. 

From a copy of court roll of the manor of 
Isleworth Syon, dated 29th December, 1675, it 
appears that Thomas Cole surrendered 4a. Ir. of 
customary land lying in several places in the fields 
of Twickenham, called the Parish Land, anciently 
belonging to the inhabitants of Twickenham, for 
keeping a bull for the common use of the inhabi- 
tants, in trust for the use of the said inhabitants, 



66 



REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 



for keeping and maintaining a sufficient bull for 
the use aforesaid. 

An entry in an old churchwardens' ledger of 
the 6th October, 1622, states an agreement be- 
tween the vestry and Mr. Robert Bartlett, that 
he should hold the three acres and a half of the 
Parish Land with the Bull Mead, paying the same 
rent to the parish as he formerly did, with the con- 
dition that he, receiving a bull from the church- 
wardens for the common use of the parishioners, 
should keep the same at his own charge ; and if the 
bull should die, should provide another. — VIII. 
p. 401. 



THE CUSTOM OF THE BULL AND BOAR. 

Princes JRisborough, Buckinghamshire. 

Up to about 1813 a bull and a boar, a sack of 
wheat, and a sack of malt, were given away to the 
poor by the lord of the manor of Prince's Risbo- 
rough about six o'clock every Christmas morning. 
This practice was then discontinued, and for about 
five or six years after the discontinuance, beef 
and mutton were distributed to the poor about 
Christmas, in lieu of the above articles. 

Mr. Grubb, of the parsonage house, the lord of 
the manor, whose father first discontinued the above 
customary distribution, produced to the Commis- 
sioners a case, which his father laid before Mr. 



THE BULL AND BOAR. 6? 

Justice Littledale when at the bar, relative to this 
custom, with the view of obtaining the opinion of 
counsel as to whether it could be sustained as a 
custom at common law, and whether he should be 
subject to legal process if he omitted to make the 
distribution. It appears from that document that 
the custom had then prevailed for a considerable 
number of years, that it was mentioned in the 
local histories, but that its origin was lost in ob- 
scurity. The practice, whilst it lasted, seemed to 
ihave been productive of much intoxication and 
riot : the poor are said to have paraded the town 
I during the whole night preceding the distribution 
1 with an incessant clamour, effectually banishing 
all repose; on the following morning, they marched 
in crowds to Mr. Grubb's house ; and these assem- 
blies often comprised many strangers from a dis- 
tance, as well as parishioners. 
^J On the doors being opened, they rushed to the 
feast prepared for them with so little decorum and 
forbearance, that often in their zeal for priority 
they inflicted wounds on one another with their 
knives. The whole of the remaining portion of 
Christmas day is also stated to have been spent 
by many of them in public houses. 

Mr. Littledale was of opinion that this custom 
was not sustainable as a common-law right ; and 
the Commissioners reported that they had received 
no sufficient evidence that the custom could be 



68 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

considered as a charitable donation, the continu- 
ance of which could be enforced. — XXVI. p. 107. 



COW CHARITY. 

JSebington, Cheshire. 

William Hulme, of Poulton, A. D. 1620, gave 
three cows to be disposed of by the minister and 
churchwardens to the poorest and godliest parish- 
ioners at eight groats a year, and this hire to be 
employed for the increase of parish cows. Chris- 
topher Smallshall gave three cows for the same 
purpose A. D. 1625, and John Briscow, of Poul- 
ton, gave £2. 1 05. for the buying of a parish cow, 
A. D. 1661. 

These extracts from the table of benefactions 
in the parish church are the only record of the 
foundation of a charity, which has been of much 
service to the industrious poor. An account book 
produced by the rector, and extending back as far 
as 1692, contains regular entries of the names of 
persons who have received the benefit of the cha- 
rity. At that time their number was 29 ; in 1744, 
31 ; in 1760, 22 ; in 1780, 16 ; in 1800, 10 ; and 
in 1830 it was reduced to 5; in 1835 it had 
risen to 8. 

Each individual contributes 5s. a year for the 
use of his cow, and these contributions, with oc~ 



COW CHARITY. 69 

casional additions from small fines imposed by 
the magistrates, are the only sources of income to 
the charity. 

On the 25th April in every year, the cows are 
exhibited for the inspection of the rector and 
churchwardens, and every person is required to 
find security for proper care and attention being 
paid to the cow with which he is entrusted. Each 
cow is branded on one horn with the initial letter 
of the parish, and on the other with those of the 
rector.— XXXI. p. 466. 



COW CHARITY. 

West Kirby, Cheshire, 

The origin of this charity is unknown. It is 
traditionally said to have commenced during the 
rebellion in the seizure of some Irish cattle, 
which were given to the poor : and it has 
certainly existed during the greater part of the 
last two centuries. There is no income except 
the annual sum paid by the holders of the cows, 
as interest of money advanced to them by the 
trustees. 

The sum of money so advanced, is generally 
from £3. to £4, and the amount of interest 
5 per cent. The charity is managed by the 
trustees of the poor, and the cows are produced 



70 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

for their inspection on the first Monday in June 
every year. There are at present twenty-four 
cows, and the income derived from them is be- 
tween £4. and £5, which is found about sufficient 
to keep up the number of cows. — XXXI. p. 475. 



COW COMMON CUSTOM. 

Marston, Oxfoi^dshire. 

There is in this parish a piece of bushy land, 
containing about twenty-six acres, on which 
twelve of the poor have a right of common for a 
cow. 

The Commissioners could not discover the 
origin of this right. These twelve cow commons 
are however always enjoyed by twelve poor 
persons, of whom the parish clerk is one. If a 
man having a cow common dies, his widow 
continues to enjoy it for her life, but it does not 
descend to the children ; and whenever a vacancy 
occurs, such poor person, whether a householder 
or not, who obtains the votes of the greatest 
number of landowners, is appointed by the 
vestry to the common right. 

The poor are at liberty either to stock the 
common or to let their right : the latter course is 
always pursued, and they individually make the 
best bargain they can. Each common right lets 
for from 25s. to £2 a year.— XII. p. 240. 



COW CHARITY. Jl 

COW CHARITY. 

Minehead, Somerset. 

This charity had its origin in a singular manner, 
arising out of the operation of an Act passed in 
the 18th year of Charles II., "against importing 
cattle from Ireland and other parts beyond the 
seas/' wherein it was enacted, that the im- 
portation of cattle from the 2nd day of February, 
1660, should be a common and public nuisance; 
and that if any great cattle should, from and after 
the day above mentioned, be imported or brought 
from beyond seas into the kingdom of England, 
it should be lawful for any constable, &c. to seize 
the same, and that the same should be forfeited, 
one half to the use of the poor of the parish 
where they should be seized, and the other half 
to the persons seizing; and by another Act, 
20 Charles II., every vessel importing cattle 
should be liable to the like seizure, and that the 
monies arising from the sale thereof should be 
applied as aforesaid. 

After the passing of these Acts, and about the 
year 1669, it appears that a number of great 
cattle were unlawfully imported from Ireland 
into the port of Minehead ; and that the same, 
together with the vessel importing them, were 
seized and sold pursuant to the powers contained 
in the two Acts before referred to, and that a 



72 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

moiety of the sum produced from the sale there- 
of was, by the direction of the churchwardens 
and overseers of the said parish of Minehead, 
invested in the purchase of a freehold estate in 
the parish of Ottery St. Mary in Devonshire, 
which was conveyed to certain persons as trustees 
for the parish of Minehead, and that a book 
was kept in the said parish called the cow money 
book, in which entries were made of the rents 
and profits received from the said charity estate, 
and of the distribution thereof. 

In consequence of some proceedings in Chan- 
cery in 1821, it appeared that the charity property 
acquired by the operation of these strange Acts 
of Parliament consisted of a farm of twenty 
acres of land with the necessary buildings, and 
stock to the amount of £1090. 15s. in the 
3 per cent, consolidated bank annuities, subse- 
quently increased to £1197. 5s. *]d.\ the profit 
and dividends of which are annually distributed 
to the poor of Minehead, in coats, cloaks, 
blankets and money. 

The whole property is vested in trustees, who 
meet to consider the proper persons to be re- 
lieved under this charity about three weeks 
before the time of distribution, and the names 
of the objects thus ascertained are set down 
upon a list, and the funds apportioned accord- 
ingly.— XV. p. 379. 



ALMS COW. 73 

ALMS COW. 

Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire. 

In the Parliamentary Returns, there is a state- 
ment that the benefit of two cows was then dis- 
tributed yearly amongst tw r enty-two people of 
this parish by the Duke of Marlborough. 

The milk of one cow kept for that purpose by 
Mr. William Woodman, a tenant of the Duke, 
occupying Lodge Hill Farm, was in 1833 received 
daily by tw r enty-two parishioners of the parish 
of Waddesdon in rotation, one person receiving 
it in the morning and another in the evening. 
The distribution of the milk of the second cow 
was discontinued in the year 1825, the then 
tenant of the farm refusing at that time to keep 
two cow r s for the poor, as the allowance mentioned 
below had become insufficient to defray the 
expense. The cow is called " the Alms Cow," 
and when she dies or grows barren, another is 
provided by the tenant. The Commissioners 
were informed that the receiver of the Duke's 
estates had allowed £10 for the keep of one cow, 
and his predecessors had done so before him.-^» 
XXVII. p. 33. 



74 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

COW CHARITY. 

Woodchurch, Cheshire. 

James Goodaker of Barnston in this parish, 
in 1525, left twenty marks to buy twenty yoke of 
bullocks, which were subsequently replaced by 
cows, and given to the poor of Woodchurch : 
every parishioner that had a cow or cows paying 
yearly for each to the overseers the sum of 
2s. Sd. every Friday before Whitsunday, which 
hire was to be a stock for the benefit of the poor 
for ever. 

The parish of Woodchurch includes ten town- 
ships, from each of which a trustee of the cow 
property is elected, whose duty it is to see that 
the animals are properly taken care of, and 
these persons are termed governors of the cows. 
There is an annual meeting, on which occasion 
the cows are produced and examined. 

In 1835, the number of cows out at hire 
amounted to thirty-nine, producing a rent of 
£7. 155. per annum, and the charge upon the 
fund in the same year was £2. 8s. lOd. which 
included 5s. to the schoolmaster, for keeping the 
accounts. 

The charity is a decided benefit to the poor, 
encouraging industry and frugality, and contri- 
buting to their comfort and general welfare. — 
XXXI. p. 484. 



CHARITY TO MAIMED SOLDIERS. 75 

BEQUEST OF MILK. 

Aires ford, Essex. 

Edmund Porter, by will, dated 27 May, 1558, 
directed that John Porter should have a house 
called Knapps, with the appurtenances, church 
fences and caprons, (which comprised thirty- one 
acres of land,) to him and his heirs, upon con- 
dition that they should give, for ever, the morn- 
ing milk of two able milk beasts to the poor 
people of this parish every Sunday yearly, from 
Whitsunday to Michaelmas, 3s. Ad. on Good 
Friday, and a like sum on Christina's day. 

This milk tribute has subsequently been 
commuted for a money payment, which is dis- 
tributed in bread amongst the poor. — XXXII. 
part i. p. 653. 



CHARITY TO POOR MAIMED SOLDIERS. 

Goldsmiths' Company, London. 

Philip Strelley, by will 6th September, 1603, 
gave certain lands in Ulkerthorpe, in the county 
of Derby, to the Company of Goldsmiths, in trust 
(amongst other matters) to pay £\0. per annum 
for ever towards the relief of poor maimed soldiers, 
which sum is paid generally to ten pensioners of 
Chelsea Hospital.— VIII. p. 333. 

E 2 



76 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

BEQUEST TO POOR DISTRESSED SOLDIERS AND SEAMEN. 

London. 

Sir John Langham, of Cotfesbrooke, in the 
county of Northampton, baronet, by his last will, 
dated 3 1st August, 1764, among other things, 
gave and bequeathed as follows : — 

" Lastly, I give in trust to the Lord Mayor and 
Aldermen of the City of London £6,000 out of 
my stock in New South Sea annuities, towards 
raising a fund for the relief of poor distressed sol- 
diers and seamen and their families. " 

In respect of this charity, the sum of £7*000 
stands in the 3 per cent, reduced annuities, in the 
names of the chamberlain, the town clerk, and the 
comptroller of the chamber, for the purposes of 
the trust as directed by the will. 

The dividends of this stock, amounting to £210 
per annum, are applied, at the discretion of the 
Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and the representative 
of the Langham family, in sums of £4 each to 27 
poor soldiers and 27 seamen annually. — X. p. 182. 



HOSPITAL FOR OLD SOLDIERS. 

Hereford. 
Founded about 1617 by Sir Thomas Conings- 
by, in thankfulness to God for his defence and 
protection, as well in travels by sea and land, as 



HOSPITAL FOR OLD SOLDIERS. 77 

also against malice and practice at home, for a 
chaplain and 11 poor old soldiers, mariners, or 
serving-men of three years* service at least in the 
wars ; one of them, being a soldier, to be the head 
and governor, and called the Corporal of Conings- 
by's Company of Old Servitors. 

He appointed that, when the place of corporal 
should be vacant, it should be filled by any old 
soldier being a Coningsby, of whatever county, be- 
fore any other ; and if there were none such, then 
by some other, being a gentleman, who should 
write himself and be called Corporal Coningsby ; 
and the corporal and company in all their speeches 
and writings, should call him Commander of the 
Hospital, in memory of those worthy governors 
that formerly ruled a military society there. And, 
touching the apparel of the corporal and company, 
Sir Thomas ordered that each should have, at his 
first admittance, a fustian suit of ginger colour, of 
a soldier-like fashion, seemly laced, a hat with a 
band of white, a soldier-like jerkin with half sleeves, 
and a square shirt, down half the thigh, with a 
moncado or Spanish cap, a soldier-like sword, with 
a belt, to wear as he goeth abroad, a cloak of red 
cloth, lined with red baize, and reaching to the 
knee, and a seemly gown of red cloth, reaching 
down to the ancle, lined likewise with red baize, 
to be worn in the Hospital and city of Hereford, 
the cloak to be worn in further walks or journeys. 



78 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

That whensoever the Company should go to 
the cathedral church, or to any other public place 
in the city of Hereford, the chaplain and corporal 
should go together before the rest of the com- 
pany, the chaplain with his bible, and the rest by 
two and two, the corporal and company wearing 
their swords, if the law would permit. — XXXII. 
pt. ii. p. 53. 

seamen's friend. 
Wandsworth, Surrey, 
Francis Millington, by will in 1692, ordered 
that his executor should, within one year after his 
decease, lay out the sum of £500 in the purchase 
of freehold lands, &c. within 100 miles of London, 
and settle the same on the Governors of Christ's 
Hospital, upon trust, to dispose of the profits yearly 
for the relief and maintenance of poor seamen or 
watermen of the age of 50 years or upwards, born 
and dwelling in the town or parish of Wands- 
worth, as should have lost their limb or limbs at 
sea, or should have been so wounded at sea that 
they should be disabled to get a livelihood, and in 
buying and making blue cloth alms coats for the 
same poor men, to be given to them yearly on Mi- 
chaelmas day; and if there should be a want of sea- 
men or watermen qualified as aforesaid to take up 
all the said rents and profits, then other seamen or 



CHARITY FOR SHIPWRECKED SEAMEN. 79 

watermen or other poor men of the age of 50 years 
or upwards, dwelling in the town or parish of 
Wandsworth, or under that age, seamen or water- 
men being to have preference, might be admitted 
to receive his said gift. — XVI. p. 394. 



CHARITY FOR SHIPWRECKED SEAMEN AND OTHER 
GOOD WORKS. 

Bamborough Castle, Northumberland. 
Ye holy towers that shade the wave-worn steep, 

Long may ye rear your aged brows sublime, 

Though, hurrying silent by, relentless Time 
Assail you, and the winter whirlwinds sleep ! 
For far from blazing Grandeur's crowded halls, 

Here Charity hath fix'd her chosen seat ; 

Oft list'ning tearful when the wild winds beat 
With hollow bodings round your ancient walls ! 
And Pity, at the dark and stormy hour 

Of midnight, when the moon is hid on high, 
Keeps her lone watch upon the topmost tower, 

And turns her ear to each expiring cry ! 
Blest if her aid some fainting wretch might save, 
And snatch him, cold and speechless, from the wave. 

Bowles. 

Bamborough, or Bamburgh Castle is about 
five miles to the east of Belford, and three 
hundred and fifty-nine north from London: it 
stands upon a basalt rock of triangular shape, 
high, rugged, and abrupt on the land side, flanked 



80 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

by the German ocean, and strong natural rampires 
of sand, matted together with sea rushes, on the 
east, and only accessible to an enemy on the 
south-east, which is guarded by a deep dry 
ditch, and a series of towers in the wall on 
each side of the gateway. Nature has mantled 
the rock with lichens of various rich tints, and 
its beetling brow is one hundred and fifty feet 
above the level of the sea. Its crown is girt with 
walls and towers, which on the land side have 
been nearly all repaired. The outer gateway 
stands between two fine old towers, with time- 
worn heads ; twelve paces within it is a second 
gate, which is machicolated, and has a portcullis, 
and within this, on the left hand, on a lofty point 
of rock, is a very ancient round tower of great 
strength, commanding a pass subject to every 
annoyance from the besieged ; and the castle was 
formerly the place of refuge for the kings, earls, 
and governors of Northumberland in troublesome 
times. 

On the decease of Nathaniel Lord Crewe, 
Bishop of Durham, the manor and castle of 
Bambrough and Blanchland, in Northumberland 
and Durham, and also the advowsons of the 
churches of Bambrough and Shotley, and all 
other manors, advowsons, fishings, tithes, lands, 
&c. in Bambrough, Blanchland, Thornton, Sun- 
derland, Shorston, Fleatham, Beadnell, Berwick, 



CHARITY FOR SHIPWRECKED SEAMEN. 81 

Burton, Newham, Bradford, Fryers Lucker, 
Waringford, Mousin, Warringtorij Tuggle, Bugle, 
Sheldon, Haddery, Burn, Shotley, Westhaugh- 
head, Westhaugh-foot, Easthaugh-head, East- 
haugh-foot, Thornton, Edmunds-hill, Hunston- 
worth, Holy Island, and Norham, all theretofore 
the property of his lordship, and which he had 
lately purchased, and which were then of the 
yearly value of £1312. 13s. 5d. became vested in 
trustees, in pursuance of his lordship's will, dated 
24th June, 1720, wherein he declared that he 
had devised the manors and premises before- 
mentioned, on trust, that the said trustees should, 
as occasion should require, present such persons 
to the churches of Bambrough and Shotley as 
they should think fit ; and that they should pay, 
out of the rents and profits of the said manors, 
lands, &c. the sum of £20 yearly to each of 
twelve exhibitioners of Lincoln College, Oxford, 
who should be under-graduate commoners in 
Lincoln College, and natives of the diocese of 
Durham, and, for want of such natives, of North- 
allertonshire, Howdenshire, in the county of 
York, or of Leicestershire, and particularly of 
the parish of Newbold Verdon, or of the diocese 
of Oxford, whereof he was formerly bishop, or 
of the county of Northampton, in which he was 
born ; and he directed that such exhibitioners 
should be elected by the rector and fellows of 

Lincoln College, and enjoy the said exhibitions 

e 3 



82 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

for eight years, if they should so long continue 
resident in college, and no longer, unless they 
should have leave from the rector to be absent. 

To pay to the minister of Bambrough Church 
and his successors, £40 yearly. To the minister 
of St. Andrew Auckland and his successors, £30 
yearly. For the augmentation of certain poor 
rectories, vicarages, small livings or curacies, in 
the diocese of Durham, the yearly sum of £10 
each. Tothe ministers, lecturers, or curates, of 
the parishes of All Saints and St. Michael in 
Oxford, Twyford in Bucks, and Combe in Oxford- 
shire, and to their successors, £10 yearly to 
each, for catechizing youth within the same 
parishes. To the poor scholars" of Trap and 
Marshall in Lincoln College, being eight in number, 
such annual sums as would make up their re- 
spective scholarships to the yearly sum of £10 
a-piece, including what they already received on 
account of their respective scholarships, to the 
intent that they might all be alike in their yearly 
values. 

To the Bible clerk of Lincoln College, such 
annual sum as would make up his salary to £10. 
To the rector of the said college £20 a-year ; and 
to each of the fellows of the said college £10 
yearly. To each of the alms people in the 
hospitals at Durham and Bishop Auckland, of 
the foundation of Bishop Cosin ; to each of the 



CHARITY FOR SHIPWRECKED SEAMEN. 83 

six almswomen in the hospital at Brackley, in 
the county of Northampton, founded by his 
grandfather Sir Thomas Crewe; and to each of 
the two almswomen in the hospital at Hinton, 
of the foundation of Elisha Heale, esq. the several 
yearly sums of 40s. To the schoolmaster of 
Newbold Verdon, £20 a-year. To the trustees 
of the hundred of Sparkenhoe, in Leicestershire, 
for the relief of the widows, orphans, and children 
of poor clergymen deceased, and their successors, 
the yearly sum of £10. To the minister and 
churchwardens of Daventry, £6 yearly, for the 
support of a charity-school. All such payments 
to be made quarterly to the almsmen and alms- 
women ; the others to be half-yearly. 

The sum of £200 yearly to the chancellor of 
the University of Oxford, to be applied to the 
public uses of such University. £100 a-year to 
the Mayor and Aldermen of Durham, to place 
out poor children apprentices. £20 a-year to a 
schoolmaster of Bishop Auckland, to teach thirty 
poor boys to read and write ; and the further sum 
of £30 yearly for the clothing of such thirty poor 
boys. And he directed that all the residue of the 
surplus rents should be disposed of by his 
trutees for such charitable uses as he should by 
writing under his hand and seal appoint, and, for 
want of such appointment, to and for such 
charitable uses as the said trustees should from 






84 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

time to time direct ; forbidding them to apply any 
part thereof whatsoever for the augmentation 
of any of the benefactions before given by him 
to the University of Oxford, to Lincoln College, 
the City of Durham, or for any other uses or 
charities for the University of Oxford, Lincoln 
College, and the City of Durham, or suburbs 
thereof. And he ordered that whenever any one, 
or two at most, of the trustees for the time being 
should happen to die, the survivors should, within 
three months, elect one or more clergyman or 
clergymen, and no other persons, to be trustee 
or trustees in the place of him or them so 
dying, so as such trustees should never exceed 
five in number, and that the rector of Lincoln 
College for the time being should always be 
one ; and that the survivors should, within three 
months after such election, convey the said trust 
estates to the use of themselves and the new 
trustees on the trusts aforesaid. And he further 
directed, that the trustees for the time being 
should be paid for all the charges that they 
should be put to in the execution of the trusts 
of his will, and that none of them should be 
answerable for the acts or defaults of the other. 

It appears, from an enumeration of the estates 
held in trust for this charity, that the quantity of 
land amounts to near thirteen thousand acres, 
and the annual income, including dividends on 



CHARITY FOR SHIPWRECKED SEAMEN. 85 

stock, rent of fishery, &c. to £8126. 8*. Sd. Out 
of this income, the payments made, as specifically 
required by Lord Crewe's will, appear to have 
been (with a few slight variations) about 
£1119. 6s. Sd. per annum, leaving an available 
balance of £7000 yearly, at the disposal of his 
trustees. 

The commissioners report that the residue is 
applied for such charitable purposes as the 
trustees for the time being think most beneficial, 
but more particularly for such as occur within 
the diocese of Durham ; such, at least, has been 
the practice from the year 1825. The principal 
branches of expenditure are, the augmentation 
of small benefices, contributions towards the 
building or enlarging churches and chapels, and 
towards the foundation and support of schools, 
exhibitions to young men going to either of the 
universities, the binding out apprentices, annuities 
and casual donations to distressed individuals, 
and subscriptions to different charitable institu- 
tions ; great exertions are also made for relieving 
the wants of the poor in Bamburgh, and the 
immediate neighbourhood, and on the other 
estates belonging to the charity. 

As to Shipwrecks. 

The situation of Bamburgh Castle upon an 
exposed and dangerous coast, has also induced 



86 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

the trustees to adopt every expedient in their 
power for preventing shipwrecks, and for saving 
the lives and property of persons who are cast 
upon those shores. 

The manor of Bamburgh, and a considerable 
part of the trust estate, is situated on the coast 
of a bay formed by Holy Island and North Sun- 
derland Point, which are distant from each other 
about eight miles. This bay is fully exposed 
to the north-east wind, which is frequently very 
tempestuous, and the danger to the navigation 
is much increased by the numerous islands, which 
extend several miles, the nearest being about two 
miles from the shore. The accidents which often 
occurred on this inclement coast attracted the 
notice of the trustees, and principally induced 
them to make Bamburgh Castle a place of oc- 
casional residence. And to further facilitate their 
good intentions, Dr. John Sharp, one of the 
trustees, by indenture of bargain and sale, bear- 
ing date, 18th November, 1778, granted certain 
premises, of the annual value of £40. 17 s. and 
by will, dated 1 7th April, 1792, bequeathed stock, 
producing £69 per annum, (all of which he vested 
in the trustees of Lord Crewels charity,) for and 
towards the reparations, amendment and support 
of the great tower of Bamburgh Castle, and in 
such part or parts thereof," and in such order and 
form, as "he directed, more particularly to keep in 



CHARITY FOR SHIPWRECKED SEAMEN. 87 

repair the conductor, from the gold point above 
the said tower to the bottom of the well, and 
the chain which hung down into the said well, 
the roof and chimnies of the great tower, the 
windows of the tower, the fire-proof work in the 
ceilings of such tower, the great clock in the 
south turret, the well machine, bath, pumps, 
troughs, cisterns, water-pipes and drains, and to 
uphold the said tower and furniture, in such 
manner as the said trustees should direct, for 
ever. 

The sunken rocks and shifting sands of this 
coast had long been a terror to the mariners 5 
and the thought of this induced Dr. Sharp to 
fit up the great tower for the reception of suffer- 
ing seamen, and property, which might be rescued 
from the fury of the ocean. 

The trustees have ready in the castle such 
implements as are required to give assistance to 
stranded vessels 5 a nine pounder is placed at 
the bottom of the great tower, which gives signals 
to ships in distress, and, in case of wreck, an- 
nounces the same to the custom-house officers, 
and their servants, who hasten to prevent the 
wreck being plundered. A constant watch is 
kept at the top of the great tower, whence signals 
are also made to the fishermen of Holy Island, as 
soon as any vessel is discovered to be in distress, 
when the fishermen immediately put off to its 



88 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

assistance, and the signals are so regulated as to 
point out the particular direction in which the 
vessel lies ; and this is partly indicated by flags by 
day, and rockets at night. Owing to the size 
and fury of the breakers, it is generally im- 
possible for boats to put off from the mainland 
in a severe storm, but such difficulty occurs but 
rarely in putting off from Holy Island. 

In addition to these arrangements for mariners 
in distress, men on horseback constantly patrole 
the coast, a distance of eight miles, from sun set 
to sun rise, every stormy night. Whenever a 
case of shipwreck occurs, it is their duty to for- 
ward intelligence to the castle without delay, and, 
as a further inducement to this, premiums are 
often given for the earliest notice of such distress. 
During the continuance of fogs, which are 
frequent and sudden, a gun is fired at short in- 
tervals. By these means, many lives are saved, 
and an asylum is offered to shipwrecked persons 
in the castle. The trustees also covenant with 
the tenants of the estate, that they shall furnish 
carts, horses and men, in proportion to their 
respective farms, to protect and bring away what- 
ever can be saved from the wrecks. There are 
likewise the necessary tackle and instruments 
kept for raising vessels which have sunk, and 
whatever goods may be saved are deposited in 
the castle. The bodies of those who are lost, 



CHARITY TO SHIPWRECKED SEAMEN. 89 

are decently interred at the expense of this 
charity, — in fact, to sailors on that perilous coast 
Bamburgh Castle is what the convent of St. 
Bernard is to travellers in the Alps. 

Schools. 

In the castle, two rooms are appropriated, the 
one for a boys 5 school, and the other for a school 
for girls. The master of the boys has apart- 
ments in the castle, and receives a salary of £60 
per annum for teaching the boys, and £15 for 
attending the girls' school two hours every day, 
and teaching them writing and accounts. 

The mistress of the girls 5 school, has also 
apartments in the castle, and a salary of £30 
per annum. To these schools, all children of 
poor persons of Bamburgh are admitted, and 
taught, on the national system, without any 
charge, and are supplied with books and sta- 
tionery. At the time of the commissioners' 
inquiry, in October 1829, there were upwards of 
one hundred and seventy scholars, and in the 
winter the number is considerably larger. The 
annual expense of these schools, including books 
and rewards to the scholars, may be stated at 
about £150 or £160. 

Thirty girls are provided with board, lodging, 
washing, and clothing : they are admitted between 
the ages of seven and nine, and allowed to remain 
till they are sixteen, or fit to go out to service. 



90 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

Two schools are likewise supported in Blanch- 
land ; that for boys kept by a master who is 
allowed £50 per annum, and the use of a house 
belonging to the charity estate rent-free ; and a 
school for girls, kept by a mistress, who receives 
a salary of £20, and has the use of a house 
and garden. In these schools all the poor 
children of Blanchland are admitted, and in- 
structed without charge. The scholars are also 
supplied with books and stationery gratis. 

There is also a library in the castle, and the 
books are kept in a room which is opened to the 
public under certain regulations, and lent to per- 
sons residing in the neighbourhood. 

Apprentices. 

By a regulation of the trustees, it is ordered that 
£100 per annum should be applied in appren- 
ticing 10 children of either sex from the schools of 
Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, Bishop Wear- 
mouth, and South Shields ; such children not to 
be less than 14 years of age, and bound to mem- 
bers of the Church of England; also, that £J 5 
should be allowed to the sons and daughters of 
clergymen within the diocese of Durham, in addi- 
tion to the fee given by the corporation of the 
sons of the clergy. 

Annuities and casual donations. 

Applications are frequently made to the trus- 
tees on behalf of persons in distress, and a sum 



CHARITY FOR SHIPWRECKED SEAMEN. 91 

of moneys or an annuity, is granted, as circumstances 
seem to require ; but no such grant is made except 
upon petition, nor until the truth of the facts ex- 
pressed therein is ascertained. 
Exhibitions. 

On application being made to the trustees on 
behalf of any person going to either of the uni- 
versities, if the party appears a fit object, the 
yearly sum of £20 is allowed him, and occa- 
sionally a donation is made in addition. 

Belief of the poor at Bamburgh, fyc. 

The trustees have adopted the following modes 
of assisting the poor in Bamburgh and the neigh- 
bourhood. 

In 1 797 a shop was established for the sale of 
meal and flour, for which purpose a quantity of 
barley, oats, and peas are purchased of the tenants 
of the charity estates at the market price, each te- 
nant being obliged to furnish a proportional quan- 
tity. 

The grain is ground at a windmill, erected close 
to the castle walls, and the meal is sold, to such 
of the poor as are recommended by any respect- 
able neighbour, at little more than the prime cost 
of the grain before it was ground. 

Proper regulations are made for preventing 
persons from purchasing for sale, by limiting them 
to the quantity required for their respective fami- 
lies. 



92 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

The trustees have also established a shop for 
cheese, grocery, and articles of that nature, from 
which the poor are supplied in the same manner 
as at the meal shop. 

There is also a dispensary and surgery in the 
castle, and a surgeon is appointed with a salary 
for attending twice a week, and giving advice and 
surgical assistance and dispensing medicine to the 
poor, who apply under a recommendation from any 
respectable inhabitant in the neighbourhood. 

A midwife is engaged to attend poor lying-in 
women in the neighbourhood, and there is a sup- 
ply of child-bed linen at the castle, which is lent 
out to such persons as are fit objects of the cha- 
rity, each of whom receives at the same time 
2s. 6d. 

There is also distributed to the poor of Bam- 
burgh milk from the trustees' farm nearly through- 
out the year ; and every Christmas, beef to the 
amount of about £20 is given to them ; coal is 
delivered yearly to the poor of Bamburgh, North 
Sunderland, and Blanchland. 

About £160 per annum are also distributed to 
the poor of Bamburgh and other places where the 
estates are situate, in weekly or quarterly pay- 
ments. 

Sea Coast. 

A small harbour belonging to the charity es- 
tate at North Sunderland is the only one on this 



CHARITY FOR SHIPWRECKED SEAMEN. 93 

coast between Shields and the Frith-of-Forth in 
which vessels can obtain shelter from the north- 
east wind. It has been the object of the trustees 
to maintain and improve this harbour, as well for 
the security of vessels engaged in the coasting 
trade, as for the benefit of the adjoining country, 
and the increase of the revenues of the charity, 
by facilitating the export of lime and corn from 
thence, and for the encouragement of the herring 
fishery, which is now an increasing source of pro- 
fit to the poorer inhabitants. 

The harbour has consequently been gradually 
improved at a considerable expense by lengthen- 
ing the pier, and a breakwater is being construct- 
ed as a shelter from the south-east ; and the trus- 
tees have been solicited by a large portion of mas- 
ters of vessels navigating this coast to proceed 
with these improvements. They have accordingly 
had a plan and estimate made for a still further 
enlargement of the harbour, the expense of which 
will probably not fall short of £5000 ; and they are 
anxious to have these plans executed, consider- 
ing that, under all those circumstances, of which 
by their local knowledge they seem competent to 
form a correct judgment, the application of the 
funds of the charity to this purpose, even to the 
extent above mentioned, would in every respect 
accord with the spirit of the trust reposed in them. 



94 



REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 



The sum laid out in the harbour in the last 
three years, including £663. 105. lie?, expended 
in building houses on the quay side, is £1631. 7*» 
10c?., in addition to the cost of the ordinary re- 
pairs, and a salary of £20 paid to the Harbour 
Master, amounting to between £60 and £70 per 
annum. 

The following is a summary of the average ex- 
penditure during the last three years, viz : — 

£. s. d. 
Specific payments under Lord 

Crewe's will 
Augmentation of small livings 
Building churches, &c. 
Payments to schools 
Schools at Bamburgh 
Expenses of boarders at ditto 
Blanchland school . 
Building schools 
Exhibitions 
Apprentices 
Annuities and donations 
Subscriptions and donations to cha- 
ritable institutions 
Expense of meal shop 
Ditto surgery, midwife, &c. . 
To the poor of Bamburgh, Blanch- 

land,&c. in meat, coals, and money 200 



. 1119 


G 


s 


293 


6 


8 


. 295 








. 263 


5 





. 160 








. 257 


8 


3 


. 100 








. 116 








. 60 








. 75 








. 517 


14 


8 


. 450 


18 





. 85 








. 180 









FOR WIDOWS OF DROWNED MEN. 95 



£ 


s. 


d. 


Assistance in cases of wreck . .21 








Ordinary expenses of Sunderland har- 






bour . 65 








Establishment at Bamburgh Castle . 570 








Allowance to trustees . . 66 








Incidental expenses . . .568 








£5,462 


19 


3 



So extensive a charity to flow from a private 
bounty is singular ; men in former ages were ca- 
nonized for trifling acts of benevolence compared 
to this. But, although the resources were given 
by Lord Crewe, yet the disposition was not of his 
arrangement. To the benevolent heart of the 
Rev. Dr. Sharp, the chief part of the blessings de- 
rived from his lordship's will is to be attributed. 
—Mostly from XXIII. p. J 30— 148. 



CHARITY FOR WIDOWS OF DROWNED MEN. 

St. Mary, Dover. 
Thomas Pattenden, by will, dated 27th Febru- 
ary, 1817; and proved in the Prerogative Court, 
gave to the minister and churchwardens of the pa- 
rish of St. Mary £850 three per cent.reduced, to be 
transferred into their names, free from legacy duty, 
upon trust out of the dividends to repair the head 
stones about his family grave in the churchyard of 



96 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

St. Mary, with the inscriptions, and fence round 
the same ; and to apply the remainder every half 
year equally amongst six poor widows whose hus- 
bands had been drowned, always distributing and 
continuing it to those who should have the most 
lately lost their husbands by such misfortune ; the 
said minister and churchwardens first satisfying 
themselves that the said widows were not posses- 
sed of £100 in property, over and above their 
household furniture and wearing apparel 5 but no 
widow to be excluded from the benefit of this cha- 
rity by occasion of others becoming entitled to it, 
until she had received at the least the amount of 
one year's benefaction ; and he desired that the 
said minister and churchwardens should, every 
half year, take to themselves out of the said divi- 
dends the sum of 55. each, as a compensation for 
their trouble in attending to the repair and dis- 
tribution before mentioned ; and that this clause of 
his will should be hung up in a conspicuous part 
of the vestry-room of St. Mary's church, to per- 
petuate the remembrance of his bequest. — XXX. 
p. 545. 

SHIPWRECKS. 

Queenborough, Kent. 
_^/It is stated on the table of benefactions, and in 
the charity book kept by the corporation of Queen- 
borough, that two gentlemen, names unknown, 



REST. 97 

who got ashore at this place after shipwreck, gave 
£40 to the corporation, the interest to be applied 
for an annual sermon, and for behoof of the poor. 
The corporation pay £2 a year as the interest 
of it, out of which £l. Is. is paid to the officiating 
minister for preaching a sermon, and the residue 
is distributed to poor widows.— XXX. p. 476. 



TRAVELLERS REST. 

Coleshill, Warwickshire. 

George Butler, by will, Sept. 2d, 1591, gave 
his house at the lower end of the town of Coles- 
hill, called the almshouse, also a house and lands 
in Gilson, to the uses following, viz. that the rents 
thereof should be employed to keep the said alms- 
house in repair, and buy furniture when wanting ; 
that the feoffees, or constables, with their consent, 
might lodge any poor travellers that should desire 
it in the said almshouse ; that none should be suf- 
fered to lodge there more than one night, except 
great cause shewn ; that care be taken women and 
men lodge not near together ; that some persons 
be permitted to dwell there rent-free, to wash the 
house and furniture, and to take care of the poor 
lodgers ; that the overplus of the rent be em- 
ployed to some charitable use, 



98 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

The house has lately been rebuilt, and in the 
course of one year 1300 travellers have received 
the benefit of the charity by one night's lodging. 
—XXIX. p. 1030. 



CHARITABLE LIGHT 
FOR SUCH AS WALK IN DARKNESS. 

London. 

John Wardall, by will, dated 29th August, 1656', 
gave to the Grocers* Company a tenement called 
the White Bear in Walbrook, to the intent that 
they should yearly, within thirty days after Mi- 
chaelmas, pay to the churchwardens of St. Bo- 
tolph, Billingsgate, £4, to provide a good and suf- 
ficient iron and glass lantern, with a candle, for the 
direction of passengers to go with more security 
to and from the water-side, all night long, to be 
fixed at the north-east corner of the parish church 
of St. Botolph, from the feast day of St. Bartho- 
lomew to Lady Day ; out of which sum £l was 
to be paid to the sexton for taking care of the 
lantern — VI. p. 276. 

This annuity is now applied to the support of 
a lamp in the place prescribed, which is lighted 
with gas.— XXIII. p. 194. 



BELL RINGING FOR TRAVELLERS. 99 

A LIGHT FOR NIGHT TRAVELLERS. 

St. Michael, Crooked Lane, London. 
John Cooke, by will; dated 12 September, 1662, 
gave to the churchwardens and vestrymen of this 
parish £76, to be laid out to the most profit and 
advantage., for various uses., and, amongst them, 

To the parish clerk, on condition that he should 
weekly on a Saturday sweep and make clean the 
aisle of the church called Fishmongers' Aisle^ 
6s. 8d. 

For the maintenance of a lantern and candle, 
I to be of eight in the pound at the least, to be kept 
and hanged out at the corner of St. Michael's Lane, 
next Thames Street, from Michaelmas to Lady 
Day, between the hours of nine and ten o'clock at 
night, until the hours of four or five in the morn- 
ing, for affording light to passengers going through 
Thames Street, or St. Michael's Lane, £l. — 
XXXII. pt. ii. p. 343. 



BELL RINGING AT NIGHT, FOR THE GUIDE AND 
DIRECTION OF TRAVELLERS. 

Woodstock, Oxfordshire. 

Amongst the bequests of John Carey to this 

borough, is one to the mayor and commonalty, 

to pay 105. on Lady Day yearly, to the clerk or 

sexton of the town, or such other person as 

f 2 



100 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

should be appointed to ring the eight o'clock 
bell at night, for the guide and direction of 
travellers ; and in case they should refuse to 
ring the bell in manner aforesaid, then the said 
10s. should cease to be paid until some person 
should be appointed to ring the said bell, who 
should duly ring it. 

The corporation pay J Os. to the clerk, for ring- 
ing the eight o'clock bell, together with an addition 
from their own funds. — XII. p. 328. 



WASHING MOLLY GRIME. 

Glentham, Lincolnshire. 
There is a yearly rent-charge of Js. issuing 
out of an estate at Glentham, late the property 
of Mr. William Thorpe, who paid the same until 
about 1832, when he became bankrupt, and the 
property was sold without any reservation of this 
rent -charge. 

A It is commonly reputed to have been left to 
seven old maids of Glentham, on condition of 
their washing a tomb in Glentham church, called 

Molly Grime, with water brought from Newell 

Well. 

These conditions were complied with, until 

the rent-charge ceased to be paid, the figure being 

regularly washed on every Good Friday, and the 



101 



old maids receiving Is. each, for performing this 
service. — XXXII. pt. iv. p. 410. 



BEQUEST TO MOST INDIGENT, POOREST, AGED, 
DECREPIT, MISERABLEST PAUPERS. 

ffallaton, Leicestershire. 
Valentine Goodman, by will, dated in 1684, 
bequeathed £800 to be laid out in land, and the 
profits thereof given to the "most indigent, 
poorest, aged, decrepit, miserablest paupers/' viz. 
six from Easton, four from Medbourn, four from 
Hallaton, and two from Blaston ; and if any part 
of the money (was) employed for easing town 
levies, or not according to the intent of the 
testator, then he declared that the gift should 
cease, and the money be employed for the re- 
demption of Turkish captives. 

The produce of the land in 1822, 1823, and 
1824, is reported at £100 each year. 

The names of the recipients are regularly entered 
1 n a book, with the amount paid to each. — 
XXXII. pt. v. p. 235. 



BACHELORS MONEY. 

Bowes. Yorkshire. 



Poor, poor old bachelors. — Comic Song. 
The sum of £60, given by some person un- 
known, the interest thereof to be paid to two 



102 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

or one of the oldest bachelors in the township of 
Bowes, was from time to time placed out in 
different sums at interest, but has all been lost 
through insolvency, except £15 now in the hands 
of Mr. John Bailey, of Brough, in Westmoreland. 
— -VII. p. 616. 



POMPOSITY. 

Braugh ing, Hertfordsh ire. 

Matthew Wall, by will, in 1595, charged all 
his lands and tenements in the parish of Braugh- 
ing, with the yearly payment of twenty shillings, 
to be distributed by the minister and church- 
wardens on St. Matthew's day, in the following 
manner : — 

To the sexton, to make up his grave yearly, 
and to ring the bell, Is. lOd. To twenty boys, 
between the age of six and sixteen, twenty groats. 
To ten aged and impotent people of the parish, 
ten three-pen ces. To sweep the path from his 
house to the church gate every year, Is. To the 
crier of Stortford, to make proclamation yearly, 
on Ascension and Michaelmas day, that he left 
his estate to a Matthew, or William Wall, as long 
as the world should endure, 8d. To the parish 
clerk at Hallingbury for the same, Sd. and to the 
minister and churchwardens, to see his will 
performed, 5s. 



FUND TO BUILD A BRIDGE, ETC. 103 

The tenant of the estate, charged with this 
annuity, (which is situate at Green End,) regu- 
larly pays the 205. to the schoolmaster, by whom 
it is distributed, according to the directions of the 
will.— XXIX. p. 277. 



FUND TO BUILD A BRIDGE, OR FOUND AN HOSPITAL 
FOR BASTARD CHILDREN. 

Bristol. 

By will, dated 1st December, 1753, Mr. William 
Vick, merchant of Bristol, gave the sum of £ 1 000, 
to be secured to the society of merchant adven- 
turers of that city, upon the trusts thereinafter 
mentioned, (that was to say,) whereas, he was 
of opinion, that the erecting a stone bridge over 

\ the river Avon, from Clifton Down, in Gloucester- 
shire, to the opposite side of Leigh Down, in the 

) county of Somerset, for carriages, as well as 
horse and foot passengers, toll free, would be 
of great public utility ;* and he had heard and 
believed, that the building of such bridge was 
practicable, and might be completed for less 
than £10,000 ; for the advancing and effecting of 
so useful a work, and for the encouragement of 

* An iron suspension bridge is now in the course of 
erection, under the direction of I. Brunei, jun. esq. 



104 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

contributions thereto, he directed that the said 
sum of £1000 should be placed out at interest 
by the society, until the same should accumu- 
late or increase to the said sum of £10,000, 
which, when effected, the society was to expend 
so much thereof as should be necessary in 
erecting such stone bridge, and in defraying the 
needful expences thereabout, either for obtain- 
ing an Act of Parliament to be enabled to 
carry on and complete such work, or for making 
satisfaction to the proprietors of Rownham Ferry, 
or for purchasing such ferry, if either should be 
necessary, or otherwise ; and the surplus, if any, 
after the building and completing of such bridge, 
he directed to be applied by the said society to 
such charitable use as they should think proper. 
And his will further was, that the society should 
be at liberty to lay out the said trust money at 
any time, in case other monies should be given, 
which, together with the amount of the then 
trust estate, should be deemed sufficient for such 
undertaking. 

Provided also, and his will expressly was, 
that in case the said society should decline or 
refuse to lay out the trust money for the uses 
aforesaid, when such accumulation was effected, 
or that the erecting such bridge was impracti- 
cable, unuseful, or improper, then he gave such 
trust money to the mayor, burgesses, and com- 



FUND TO BUILD A BRIDGE, ETC. 105 

monalty of the city of Bristol, £4000 whereof 
(to be lent, free of interest, to young, honest, and 
industrious clothworkers, residents of the parish 
of Minchinhampton, in the county of Gloucester, 
and of Bristol, and the other £6000 to be applied 
towards the founding, erecting, and maintaining 
an hospital for illegitimate children, and to be 
added to any subscription for that much wanted 
charity, under and subject to such regulations 
as the said chamber of Bristol should think 
proper, &c. 

The total amount of accumulated principal and 
interest on the 14th October, 1821, was reported 
to be £4139. 9s. 8d., and it was estimated, that, 
supposing the interest on this sum to continue 
to be accumulated in a compound interest ratio, 
that it will amount to £10,076. lOd. on the 14th 
October, 1851. 

The commissioners were subsequently informed, 
that, in consequence of suggestions which had 
emanated from them, a higher rate of interest 
had been computed on by the society, which was 
carried back in the calculations to 1782, and 
that thereby the accumulated principal and 
interest, (which appeared to be in the company*s 
hands,) on 2nd October, 1821, was £6074. 17*. 5d. 
—VIII. p. 636. 



f 3 



106 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

GROWING BUT WHIMSICAL, YET USEFUL CHARITY. 

Brixton, Devonshire. 
On the estate called the Parish Park, there is 
a considerable quantity of fine elm timber, stand- 
ing on ground in extent about half an acre, which 
for many years was a playing-place for children, 
in which ground a stone is preserved with the 
following inscription : — 

" This colony of elms, regularly disposed into 
walks, was planted in November, 1677* by Edward 
Fortescue, of Spridleston, esq. churchwarden, 
with the approbation and contribution of the 
majority of estated parishioners, to the intent 
that (when perfect in growth and sold) lands 
may be purchased with the money, for relief 
of the poor of this parish ; and that posterity, 
reaping the advantage of our benefaction, may 
be encouraged to provide for more successions, 
by substituting others in the room of these. " 
Cyrus ad Lysand. 
Multse etiam istarum arborum mea manu sunt satae, 
Nemo sibi solum natus, nilque libero dignius. 
May Mithridates* spirit still affright 
Such as our living galleries despite ; 
Cleomenes' and Agamemnon's fate 
Seize such as think not sacred what is sate, 
find enemies deem'd to poor, to church, and state. 

It appears that the following sums have been 
received from this estate. In 1810, £9, 8s., in 



EDWARD STRODE'S ALMSHOUSES. 107 

1811, £15, in 1914, £9. 10s. } in 1819, £82. 2s. 
— -V. p. 208. 



CURIOUS DRESS ORDERED TO BE WORN BY THE 
MEN IN EDWARD STRODE's ALMSHOUSES. 

Shepton Mallet, Somerset. 

In this establishment, for four poor old men, 
Protestants, of the parish of Shepton Mallet, 
founded in 1699, Mr. Strode orders that each 
such poor old man should, at his and their first 
being placed in any of the four houses, have 

A new grey hat, edged about with red narrow 
silk galloon lace : the hat, so laced, to cost 
5s. and no more. 

One plain neckcloth and dowlas shirt, both 
to cost 5s. 

A loose-bodied coat, with the letter E cut 
large in blue cloth, and well sewed on the 
right sleeve, and the letter S on the left 
sleeve, plain to be seen. And a pair of 
large breeches made of red cloth, at 6s. the 
yard. 

A large waistcoat made of white cloth, or 
linsey woolsey, of Is. 4d. a yard. 

A pair of blue, strong, yarn stockings, of 
Is. 6d. a pair. 



108 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

A strong pair of tusset leather shoes, at 
3 s. 6d. a pair, with a pair of blue leather 
points to tie the shoes. 
Each old man to be new habited accordingly once 
in every two years against Easter. 

The Commissioners report that this order is 
complied with, at a cost of about £13. — III. p. 
404. 



WHIMSICAL PARTIALITY FOR NINE. 

Danby, Yorkshire. 

Samuel Rabanke, by indenture of bargain and 
sale, enrolled, dated 24th February, 1631, con- 
veyed to Thomas Reeve and Samuel Pruddom, 
and the heirs of Pruddom, certain premises, upon 
trust that they and the heirs and assigns of the 
said Samuel Pruddom, out of the rents and 
profits of such premises, upon the 9th day of 
June, or the 9th day of December, from the day 
of his death, and upon every 9th day of every 
month for ever thereafter, cause to be paid to 
nine poor people, to be nominated and elected 
as thereinafter mentioned, 9d. a week, or 3s. a 
month ; and should also, upon every 9th day of 
December, pay the sum of 10s. to some godly and 
able preacher, who should on that day yearly 
preach the Word of God in the parish church of 
Danby ; and that the said Samuel Pruddom, his 



PARTIALITY FOR NINE. 109 

heirs and assigns, should, after the sermon, give 
and deliver one peck of rye to every such of the 
said nine poor people, as well to those who were 
present during the service, as also to such others 
as should be absent by reason of sickness or 
otherwise ; and as to the choice of the poor 
persons, he directed that, on the 9th December, 
the curates, churchwardens, and overseers of the 
poor of Danby, should nominate eighteen poor 
persons, men or women, of Danby, six by the 
curate, six by the churchwardens, and six by the 
overseers, of whom nine should be immediately 
elected by Pruddom, or his heirs or assigns, but, 
if they were absent, then such nine persons 
should be chosen on the next Sabbath day, by 
the curate and overseers, or any three of them, 
whereof the curate should be one ; and that, if 
there were not so many poor persons of the 
poorest sort and best report in the parish of 
Danby, the number should be supplied out of 
Glaisdale ; so, however, as such number should not 
exceed three. 

The sum of £18. 105. a year is paid on account 
of this charity, out of lands called Howe Farm, 
Castleton and Bottom or Dale Head, in this 
parish. £{?. lis. of the money is distributed in 
monthly payments of 3s. each month, to nine 
poor persons of Danby, IQs. are paid to the 
minister for a sermon which is preached on the 



110 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

20th December, the day on which the rent-charge 
is paid ; and, in lieu of a peck of rye, it has been 
customary, for many years past, to give a shilling 
to each of the poor persons, which makes up the 
present amount of the payment. — VII. p. 715. 



FORMALITY WITHOUT SUBSTANCE. 

All Saints, Leicester. 
By indenture, dated 1st February, 1611, William 
Norrice, in consideration of the love which he 
bore to the parish of All Saints, wherein he was 
born, and had lived by the mercy of God for 
fourscore and nine years, and for the charitable 
devotion which he had to the poor people of the 
said parish, granted a yearly rent of 155. issuing 
out of certain garden-ground in or near Soar 
Lane, upon the conditions that the minister and 
churchwardens should yearly, upon the Sunday 
next before the feast of St. Bartholomew the 
Apostle, in the afternoon, meet and elect forty- 
one of the poorest people inhabiting in the parish 
of All Saints, and deliver a list of their names in 
writing to the clerk of the parish, and cause him 
to give notice that all persons whose names were 
contained in that note should personally attend 
evening prayer on St. Bartholomew^ day, and 
that the minister should on the said feast day, 
after the second lesson at evening prayer, exhort 



PREDILECTION FOR COLOURS. Ill 

the people to praise God for his mercy in pro- 
viding for the poor, and should make choice of 
some fit psalm for that purpose, desiring the 
people to sing that psalm with him ; and after 
evening prayer the minister and churchwardens 
should cause the clerk to call the said forty- 
one people into some convenient place in the 
churchy calling each by his name, and in a loud 
voice, and to give each Ad. and the minister and 
churchwardens and clerk were to have Ad. each ; 
all which being satisfied, the said poor should 
depart, glorifying God : and in default of all this 
formality, the annuity should cease. It has not 
been received for many years. — XXXII. pt. v. 
p. 103. 



WHIMSICAL PREDILECTION FOR COLOURS. 

Melbourne, Derbyshire. 

GREEN. 

Henry Greene, by will, dated 22nd December., 
1679, gave to his sister Catharine Greene, during 
her life, all his lands in Melbourne and Newton, 
and after her decease to others, in trust, upon 
condition that the said Catharine Greene should 
give four green waistcoats to four poor women 
every year, such four green waistcoats to be lined 
with green galloon lace, and to be delivered to 
the said poor women on or before the 21st 



112 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

December yearly, that they might be worn on 
Christmas day. 

GRAY. 

Thomas Gray, by his will, bearing date the 
25 th April, 1691, directed his executrix, Mary 
Gray, and others, to lay out £200 in the purchase 
of lands; and out of the profits of such land 
to lay out six nobles yearly to buy six waistcoats 
of grey cloth, edged with blue galloon lace, and 
40s. to buy three coats of grey cloth, to be faced 
with baize ; and that four of the said waistcoats 
should be given yearly to four poor widows or 
other poor women living in Castle Donnington, 
who were to be of good behaviour and endeavour 
to live honestly ; and the other two waistcoats to 
two poor widows or women of like behaviour, of 
the parish of Melbourne : and two of the coats to 
be given yearly to two poor men of Castle Don- 
nington, and the other to a poor man of Mel- 
bourne. And he also directed that copies of his 
will should be entered in the Town books of 
Castle Donnington and Melbourne, arid also hung 
up in the respective churches, and that the same 
should be read yearly on St. Thomas's day, or the 
following Sunday, after prayers, for the per- 
formance of which he directed that the ministers 
of the said parish should have five shillings a 
piece ; and he further directed that fifteen dozen 



CHARITABLE MEMORY. 113 

of bread should be given to the poor of Castle 
Donnington, and ten dozen to the poor of Mel- 
bourne, yearly, on St. Andrew's day; and if any 
residue of the rents and profits of the said land 
should arise, the same should be laid out for the 
benefit of the poor children of Castle Donnington 
and Melbourne, in the proportion of two-thirds 
for the former, and one-third for the latter place, 
towards putting them out as apprentices. — 
XVII. p. 296. 



CHARITABLE MEMORY. 

South Pool, Devonshire. 

Leonard Dare, by will, 28th Nov. 1611, gave a 
rent-charge of twenty shillings per annum, payable 
out of Molescombe Quarries, in the parish of 
Stokenham, for a term of 2900 years, to be paid 
quarterly to the poor of South Pool ; and he di- 
rected that the wardens of the parish of South 
Pool should on Christmas day, Lady day, St. 
John's day, and Michaelmas day, buy, bring, 
and lay on his tomb-stone three-score penny 
loaves of good and wholesome bread made of 
wheat, and should then and there^ distribute the 
same to the poor of that parish ; and in default or 
neglect on any of the feasts aforesaid, the testator 
gave the twenty shillings yearly to the mayor and 
burgesses of Totness. — V. p. 188. 



114 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

CHARITABLE MEMORY. 

Bolton, Westmorland. 

There is a school-house at Bolton, which it is 
understood was built by subscription; and by 
entries in the school-book, and inscriptions in the 
chapel, it appears that the first endowment to 
the school was a legacy of £40 left by James 
Hanson, by will, 1st July, 1721, for the teaching 
four or more of the poorest children of Bolton. 
This and another benefaction by the same person, 
and the gift of £10 by his wife Elizabeth, for the 
same purpose, is thus recorded on the Chapel wall : 

" In memory of James Hanson, late Clerk of Bolton, 
interred July 29th, 
Who to this Town poor out of his store 

His last will makes relation ; 
Ten pounds he gave, and Fourty more, 
For children's education. 

* % * * 

Aged 79, Annoq. Dom. 1721." 

" Elizabeth, his relict, she adds 10Z. to the school 

charity." 

VII. p. 593. 



CHARITABLE MEMORY FAMILY OSTENTATION. 

Dacre, Cumberland. 
John Troutbeck, by will, 27th October, 1J87 : 
gave to the poor of Dacre, the place of his nati- 



BELLROPE LAND. 115 

vity, £200, the interest thereof to be distributed 
every Easter Sunday on the family tombstone in 
Dacre churchyard, provided the day should be 
fine, by the hands and at the discretion of a 
Troutbeck of Blencowe, if there should be any 
living, those next in descent having prior right of 
distribution ; and if none should be living that 
would distribute the same, then by a Troutbeck, 
as long as one could be found that would take the 
trouble of it; otherwise by the minister and 
churchwardens of the parish for the time being ; 
that not less than five shillings should be given to 
any individual, and that none should be consi- 
dered entitled to it that received alms, or any 
support from the parish. — V. p. 132. 



BELLROPE LAND. 

Thruoctori) Herefordshire. 

It appears, from an entry in an old book of the 
parish, that an acre of land called the Bell Acre, 
situate in a field called Windmill, was heretofore 
given towards the bu) T ing of bell ropes annually. 

This land is inclosed with the glebe, and let to 
the Rector, at a yearly rent of 5s. — XXXII. pt. 
ii. p. 309. 



116 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

UNKNOWN DONOR. 

Husborne Crawley, Bedfordshire. 
In this parish there is an estate consisting of a 
house, buildings, yard, and 53 acres of land, of 
the annual value of 84/. the original settlement or 
acquisition of which is unknown. The rent is 
applied under the direction of the minister, church- 
wardens, and overseers of the poor, for the repair 
of the parish church, steeple, bells, and church 
clock, and a part of the churchyard fences, in 
allowing 51. yearly to the surveyors of the high- 
ways, to provide one pint of ale per day to each 
of the labourers performing statute duty ; £4 once 
in seven years, on Rogation day, to defray the 
expence of perambulating and keeping up the 
boundaries of the parish; and the remainder is 
distributed in July and December yearly, among 
all the poor, according to the size of their 
families, who are not assisted out of the rates, 
except in cases of extreme distress, and in ap- 
prenticing poor children. — X. p. 10. 



STIMULANT TO LEARNING. 

Little Ouseburn, Yorkshire. 

The sum of two shillings and sixpence yearly is 
paid from Dorothy Sutton's legacy, for a reward 
to the child who is found to repeat the Catechism 
the best on examination in the church at Easter, 






ENCOURAGING GOOD BEHAVIOUR IN BOYS. 117 

in pursuance of Mrs. Sutton's will, and which 
direction is duly complied with. — IV. p. 429. 



ENCOURAGING GOOD BEHAVIOUR IN BOYS. 

St. James, Westminster. 
Ann Newton, by a testamentary paper bearing 
various dates between 1806 and 1811, afterwards 
proved as her will, gave to the parish school of 
boys attending the chapel called St. James's 
Chapel, £1000 to be placed in the 5 per cents.; 
and she desired that the interest might be given 
yearly to bind that boy apprentice who by the 
universal voice of all the boys and master, should 
have conducted himself the best, by his religious 
: conduct, mild deportment and industry, to some 
beneficial trade ; and she directed her will to be 
written in golden letters on a board, and placed in 
the school. 

The sum of 429/. 19s. 3d. only came into the 
hands of the parish authorities, and a notice had 
been given that the trustees intended on the 7th 
May, 1836, and on that day in each succeeding 
year, to apply the interest as an apprentice-fee 
with one of the boys in the school, and recom- 
mending every boy to endeavour by his conduct 
to entitle himself to the above reward. — XXX. 
p. 823. 



118 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

SINGULAR MODE OF DISTRIBUTING CHARITY. 

JBulkeley, Cheshire. 

The sum of nineteen shillings and twopence 
was the proportion of certain consolidated cha- 
rities to which this township was entitled. The 
mode of distributing it appears not a little sin- 
gular. The overseer had the money changed into 
pence and half pence, and placed in a peck mea- 
sure, inviting all the poor to take a handful, 
which was done. Those who came last of course 
got none.— XXXI. p. 587. 



BENEVOLENCE ENCOURAGED. 

Cirencester, Gloucestershire. 

Mr. Richard Mathews, who, by will, about 1 727, 
gave 150/. to be laid out in the purchase of free- 
hold lands, and directed the profits thereof to be 
applied yearly for putting out one poor boy of 
that town to be an apprentice in the city of Lon- 
don. Ordered, that each of the poor boys so put 
forth, should subscribe the following indorsement 
upon their several indentures ; viz. 

" I do hereby solemnly promise, in the presence 
of Almighty God, to the Trustees of Mr. Richard 
Mathews, deceased, that if it shall please the 
Lord in mercy to raise me to any competent or 
considerable estate in the world, that I will re- 



DOMINE, QUIS HABITABIT? 119 

member to give monies for binding forth other 
I poor boy or boys, as the said Mr. Richard 
J Mathews hath done for me." 

The application of the principal sum of 150/. 
has been so well conducted, that it now produces 
2^1. per annum, arising out of lands purchased 
therewith at South Cerney, in Gloucestershire. — 
XX. p. 71. 



DOMINE, QUIS HABITABIT? 

CliffePypard, Wilts. 

In the last will and testament of Thomas 
Spackman, is as follows : 

u June 5th, 1675. I do charge my lands with 
twenty-one shillings by the year, and to continue 
for ever ; viz. one shilling to the minister of the 
parish, to mind him of his duty in catechizing the 
children; twenty shillings to the poor of the 
parish yearly, to be given them at the church, 
viz. five shillings on St. Thomas's day, five shil- 
lings on the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin 
Mary, five shillings on St. John the Baptist's, and 
five shillings on St. Matthew's Day ; my will is, 
that twenty poor people do receive three pence a 
piece, and that they be at the church at the be- 
ginning of prayers, or else to have no share ; if 
the number be not twenty, then the remains to 
be given to those that are best deserving ; and if 



120 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

they can, let them sing the 15th Psalm; now if 
the minister be a good man, he will be careful to 
see this my will performed, for the honour of the 
church, that at this day is almost destitute." 

The land charged with this payment is in the 
tithing of Broad Town, and the property of Wil- 
liam Ruddle Brown, a farmer. The sum has 
been for many years distributed in bread. — XXIX. 
p. 1296. 



BOUNDARY CUSTOM. 

Clifton Reynes, Buckinghamshire. 

It is stated in the Parliamentary Returns in 
1786, that some land, then let at 12/. per annum, 
was given by Sir Hugh Kite for the poor of this 
parish. And it appears, from a book in the custody 
of the minister, dated 1821, compiled by an anti- 
quary for a history of the county, that the rector 
holds a close of pasture-ground called Kites, 
which had been formerly given to support a lamp 
burning in the church of Clifton Reynes, but 
which was subject to a charge of finding one small 
loaf, a piece of cheese, and a pint of ale, to every 
married person, and half a pint for every un- 
married person, resident in Clifton, on the feast of 
St. Stephen, when they walked the parish boun- 
daries in Rogation week. The close was an- 
nexed to the rectory in the 1 2th Elizabeth. 



STEPHEN1NG MONEY. 121 

In the month of January a distribution is 
made by the Rector to all parishioners of the 
parish. Each person receives a twopenny loaf, a 
piece of cheese, and a pint of ale, if married, and 
half a pint if single.— XXVII. p. 133, 



STEPHENING MONEY. 

Drayton JBeauchamp, Buckinghamshire. 

There was formerly an usage in the parish 
called Stephening. All the inhabitants used to 
go on St. Stephen's day to the Rectory, and eat as 
much bread and cheese, and drink as much ale as 
they chose, at the expense of the Rector. 

The usage gave rise to so much rioting that the 
late Rector discontinued it, and distributed an 
annual sum instead, in proportion to the number 
of claimants; but the number of inhabitants in- 
creased so considerably, that about the year 1827 
he was induced to withhold the annual payments. 
The people have sometimes since come up to the 
rectory to ask for the Stephening money, but 
have always been refused. 

Nothing is known concerning the origin or 
duration of this usage, nor was any evidence pro- 
duced to the Commissioners, showing any legal 
obligation on the part of the Rector to continue 
the above practice. — XXVII. p. 83. 



122 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

GANG MONDAY LAND. 

Edgcott, Buckinghamshire. 

There is about an acre of land so called, in 
respect of which Robert Marcham, Esq. pays the 
overseers about Si. yearly. 

This used formerly to be distributed intakes 
and beer to the tenants, two cakes each, and as 
much beer as they chose to drink at the time ; 
the residue was distributed to all poor persons 
who came for it, whether parishioners or not. 
Since the inclosure of the parish, this sum has 
been distributed about Christmas, in coals, to all 
poor householders, parishioners, who come for it, 
in equal shares. — XXVII. p. 7l« 



SINGULAR CONDITION ANNEXED TO A BEQUEST. 

Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire. 
William Minta, who died 8th June, 1724, gave 
5/. to the poor of Gonerby, to be distributed in 
bread to sixteen aged people, on Good Friday, 
yearly, a " three-penny dole a piece," and the 
Clerk was " to toll the bell at three o'clock, and 
to read the Epistle and Gospel, and sing the La- 
mentation of a Sinner," and to have one shilling 
reward.— XXXII. part iv. p. 263. 



THE JUDGES CHARITY. 123 

SINGULAR ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY. 

Upper Holker, Lancashire. 

This parish possesses five acres of land, which 
were bought by the inhabitants with the sum of 
185 J guineas, which were found in the pocket of 
a travelling beggar who died in 1799, in a lodging 
house in Upper Holker. — III. p. 194. 



PAYMENT BY THE JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON 
PLEAS. 

London, St. JDunsian, Fleet Street. 

It is stated in an old parish book, that " The 
reverend and learned Judges of the Court of 
Common Pleas have time out of mind allowed 
towards the relief of the poor of the parish of St. 
Dunstan's 53s. 4d. yearly, which is duly paid at 
the end of every term by the younger Judge of 
the said Court. 5 ' 

This annual sum is still received by the Church- 
wardens from the Clerk of the Junior Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas at Serjeants' Inn. 
Nothing more is known of the origin of this gift. 
—VIII. p. 291. 



G 2 



124 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

WALK MONEY. 

Oxburgh, Norfolk. 

On a table of benefactions in the Churchy it is 
stated that Sir Henry Bedingfield paid at Lady 
day annually 21. for lands belonging to the town- 
ship of Oxburgh, that this was called \Walk 
Money,, and was given to the poor. 

The Commissioners could not find any other 
evidence relating to this payment, but 21. a year 
is paid by Sir Henry Bedingfield to the Rector, 
and disposed of as above-mentioned. — XXIX. p. 
698. 



ELLEN MABBOTT'S GIFT. 

Shaugh, Devonshire. 
On a tablet in the chancel of the parish church 
is the following inscription : 

c< Here lies that pious loving wife and mother, 
With her three sons, you '11 scarce find such 

another ; 
Her course to Heaven full well she knew to 

steer, 
Leaving the poor about forty pounds a year, 
Her flesh it will, her memory ne'er can rot, 
And if you'd know her name — 'twas Ellen 

Mabbott. 
« Died November 13, I7ll,aged 24 years." 
The Commissioners could not learn that any 



HANGING MONEY. 125 

sum had ever been distributed in respect of the 
above bequest, and they could not discover any 
evidence to confirm the statement on the tablet. — 
V. p. 221. 



HANGING MONEY. 

Shustock, Warwickshire. 

This is known in the hamlet of Bentley by its 
appellation "hanging money, 5 ' from a tradition 
that £7. was given by a former resident in the 
parish, who received a reward to that amount for 
prosecuting a felon to conviction. 

There is a sum of <£/. now producing Js. per 
annum, secured on the tolls of the turnpike road, 
leading from Atherstone to Coleshill, the treasurer 

of which pays annually 7$. to Power, of 

Bentley, the holder of the security, who distributes 
it amongst the poor at his discretion. — XXIX. p. 
1000. 



BEQUEST OF HEAD SILVER. CHARITY IN AID OF 

FUNERALS. 

Slapton, Buckinghamshire. 
In the Parliamentary Returns of 1786, Thomas 
Knyghton is stated to have devised, by will, dated 
1629, some land for the repairing town houses in 



126 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

this parish, and to be distributed according to the 
inclination of the trust, and to pay head silver for 
the parish. 

The property of this charity consists of about 
48 acres of land in the open fields, in the hamlet 
of Billington, with rights of common let to Tho- 
mas Procter at £83. 10s. a year, subject to £4. 
12 s. land tax, and £l. l*s. 9\d. quit rent. 

The rent is expended in the repair of four te- 
nements under one roof, called the Town Houses, 
belonging to the parish in which paupers reside ; 
in paying yearly sixteen shillings and one penny, 
called head silver, to the lady of the manor of 
kSlapton ; and in paying the expenses of all the fune- 
rals of labourers and their wives and children that 
die during the current year between Christmas 
and Christmas, including an allowance of a half 
peck loaf, one pound of cheese, and four quarts of 
beer for the attendants at the funeral of each 
adult. 

The residue is distributed on the Monday be- 
fore Old Christmas Day, amongst all the married 
poor of the parish according to the size of their 
families.— XXVII. p. 94. 



EXHORTATION TO CONDEMNED PRISONERS. 127 
EXHORTATION TO CONDEMNED PRISONERS. 

St. Sepulchre, London. 

Robert Dowe, in his life time, on the 8th of 
May 1705, gave £50 to the end that the Vicar and 
Churchwardens of this parish should, for ever, 
previously to every execution at Newgate, cause a 
bell to be tolled, and certain words to be delivered 
to the prisoners ordered for execution in the form 
and manner specified in the terms of his gift, as 
set forth in the old will book. 

An annual sum of £l. 6s. 8d. in respect of this 
gift is charged upon the parish estate in West 
Smithfield ; it is paid to the sexton, who employs 
a person to go to Newgate on the night previous 
to every execution, where he offers to perform the 
prescribed duty, which is always declined, as all 
needful services of that kind are performed within 
the prison. — XIV. p. 150. 

Noorthouck, in his History of London, gives 
the words of the exhortation. He states that the 
sexton " comes at midnight, and after tolling his 
bell calls aloud, 

' You prisoners that are within 
Who for wickedness and sin, 

after many mercies shewn you, are now ap- 
pointed to die to-morrow in the forenoon, give ear 
and understand, that to-morrow morning the 
I greatest bell of St. Sepulchre's shall toll for you 



128 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

in form of and manner of a passing bell, as used 
to be tolled for those that are at the point of 
death ; to the end that all godly people hearing that 
bell, and knowing it is for your going to your 
deaths, may be stirred up heartily to pray to God 
to bestow his grace and mercy upon you whilst 
you live. I beseech you for Jesus Christ's sake to 
keep this night in watching and prayer, to the sal- 
vation of your own souls, while there is yet time 
and place for mercy ; as knowing to-morrow you 
must appear before the judgement seat of your 
Creator, there to give an account of things done 
in this life, and to suffer eternal torments for your 
sins committed against Him, unless upon you r 
hearty and unfeigned repentance you find mercy 
through the merits, death, and passion, of your 
only mediator and advocate Jesus Christ, who now 
sits at the right hand of God to make intercession 
for as many of you as penitently return to him/ 

" On the mcjning of execution, as the con- 
demned criminals pass by St. Sepulchre's church- 
yard to Tyburn, he tolls his bell again, and, the 
cart stopping, he adds, i All good people pray 
heartily unto God for these poor sinners, who are 
now going to their death, for whom this great bell 
doth toll. You that are condemned to die, repent 
with lamentable tears ; ask mercy of the Lord for 
the salvation of your own souls, through the merits, 
death, and passion of Jesus Christ, who now sits 



CHARITY DERIVED FROM A BEGGAR. 129 

at the right hand of God, to make intercession for 
as many of you as penitently return unto him. 

Lord have mercy upon you ! 

Christ have mercy upon you ! 

Lord have mercy upon you ! 

Christ have mercy upon you !" ' 

Page6l7. 



CHARITY. DERIVED FROM A BEGGAR. 

Slindon, Sussex, 
A sum of £15 was placed in the Arundel Sav- 
ings' Bank in the year 1824, the interest of which 
is distributed on St. Thomas's Day. It is said 
that this money was found many years since on 
the person of a beggar, who died by the road side, 
and the interest of it has always been appropriated 
by the parish officers for the use of the poor. — 
XXX. p. 669. 



CHARITY FOR REDEEMING ENGLISH CHRISTIAN 
SLAVES FROM CAPTIVITY. 

JBidford, Warwickshire. 
By deed poll, dated 24th July 1655, Alicia 
Duchess Dudley appointed £100 yearly of the 
rents and profits of lands named in such deed and 
situate in the parish of Bidford, to be paid for and 
towards redeeming poor English Christian Slaves 



130 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

or Captives,, professing the faith of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ, from the Turkish Slavery, 
and that such £100 should be paid to the East 
India Company or to any other Company for the 
redemption of English Christian Slaves from the 
Turks. And it was provided that if the said lands 
and the profits thereof should at any time fall 
short, and not be sufficient to pay such yearly sum 
of £100 (and other charities named in the same 
deed poll), there should be a proportionable abate- 
ment; and, in case the profits should exceed, that 
the overplus should be proportioned amongst the 
said other charities and the captives. 

By another deed poll, dated 24th April 1657, 
the said Duchess Dudley declared, that, in case it 
should happen at any time after her decease that 
the £100 per annum could not be paid for the re- 
demption of poor Christian Slaves or Captives 
from Turkish Slavery, either in respect there 
should happen none to be redeemed, or such other 
obstruction that the money so intended could not 
be employed and converted to that use, so that 
the use for the time being should fail, cease, and 
could not be performed, she did thereby order and 
appoint that the said yearly sum of £100 should 
be paid as follow, viz. : 

£15 per annum to the minister of the parish of 
Bidford. 



131 

£15 per annum to the minister of the parish of 
Blakesley, in the county of Northampton. 

And £70 per annum to the other charities be- 
fore referred to. 

Which said sums should be no longer paid, but 
only and during such time as the said £100 per 
annum could not be paid and disposed for re- 
demption of Christian Captives as aforesaid. 

Various proceedings have been taken in the 
Court of Chancery for the regulation of this 
charity. 

The estates held in trust for its support consist 
of three farms of 356 acres 1 rood 11 perches in 
extent, producing a rent of £422 per annum. 

There is also an accumulated fund amounting 
to £l/,000 stock for want of claims. The subse- 
quent proceedings in Chancery have so arranged 
the management and application of the proceeds 
as to provide annually for the redemption of slaves 
in case such should be necessary, and, failing in 
claimants therein, the amount is to be appropriated 
to other uses in accordance with the donor's 
wishes,— XVIII. p. 405. 




BETTON S CHARITY FOR THE REDEMPTION OF 
BRITISH SLAVES IN TURKEY AND BARBARY. 

Shoreditch, Middlesex 
Thomas Betton, of Hoxton square, by will, 



132 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

dated 15 February 1723, after giving 4s. to his 
brother Timothy and his three children, and or- 
dering the payment of some trifling annuities, 
bequeathed the residue of his property to the 
Company of Ironmongers, London, upon trust, 
to place out his estate at interest on good securities, 
and not diminish the capital, that they should not 
apply the interest to any other use whatever than 
as follows, viz. 

One full half -part of such interest of the whole 
estate to be paid yearly for ever to the redemption 
of British Slaves in Turkey or Barbary. 

One full fourth-part yearly for ever unto cha- 
rity schools in the city and suburbs of London, 
where the education is according to the Church of 
England. 

The other fourth-part to the Ironmongers' Com- 
pany for certain other purposes in consideration 
of their care and pains in the execution of his will. 

The clear personal estate left by Mr. Betton 
(who died in 1725) was estimated in 1730 as 
amounting to about £22,000. 

In November 1829 an information was filed by 
the Attorney General against the Ironmongers' 
Company, setting forth that the said Company 
had, out of the rents and profits of the estate, paid 
yearly to various charity schools in the city and 
suburbs of London, nearly one full fourth-part 
thereof, and applied one other full fourth-part to 



133 

their use, according to the directions of the said 
will; that for many years past they had not ap- 
plied any part of the remaining money in the re- 
demption of British Slaves in Turkey and Bar- 
bary, but had invested the monies arising there- 
from in the purchase of stock, of which they kept 
separate and particular accounts ; that by certain 
treaties entered into between this Country and 
Turkey, and the States of Barbary, all dealings in 
slaves were prohibited, and therefore, according to 
the laws of this country, the said moiety could not 
be applied according to the directions of the testa- 
tor, and the information prayed that one moiety of 
the charity estates should be applied to the pur- 
poses of charity as near to the intention of the 
donor as the circumstances of the case would admit. 
From the answer of the defendants it was eli- 
cited, that their clear income was £1700 a-year, 
after deducting the outgoings ; and that between 
1734 and 1826 they had expended the sum of 
£21,088 8s. 2\d. in carrying out the benevolent 
wishes of the donor for the redemption of British 
captives. They stated that they had been in- 
formed there were certain treaties between this 
country and Turkey and the states of Barbary, by 
which all dealings in slaves were prohibited ; but 
that the said treaties were not all of modern date ; 
the treaty to that effect with the state of Algiers, 
for instance, being as old as 1602 ; that the exist- 



134 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

ence of the treaty did not altogether supersede the 
utility of Mr. Betton^s bequest for the redemption 
of British slaves, for that many parts of the coast 
of Barbary were in a very unsettled state, and the 
inhabitants very little under the control of the 
nominal government ; and that when British sub- 
jects were shipwrecked on those parts of the 
coast they were in part detained as slaves, and 
their liberty could often only be procured by the 
~i payment of money by way of presents : and when 
they were redeemed by the Government in conse- 
quence of the interference of the British Consuls, 
and set free, they were often obliged to wait many 
months before they could obtain a passage home, 
and were destitute of the means either of support- 
ing themselves there, or of obtaining a passage 
home but for the assistance of this charity fund* 
and that consequently the charity fund could in 
some degree be still applied according to the 
directions of the testator; and that, as lately as the 
year 1825, the sum of £320. 6s. 9d. was paid for 
the support and passage home of the crew of a 
vessel wrecked to the north of Cape Canton, and 
afterwards redeemed by the Emperor of Morocco. 
The defendants admitted that the income of 
the charity funds applicable for the redemption of 
British slaves was much more than sufficient to 
meet the demands upon it for the direct purposes 
of that particular charity, and expressed their 



betton's charity. 135 

readiness to act in the execution of the trusts of 
will, as the Court might direct, on being indem- 
nified. 

The stock standing in the name of the Ac- 
countant General in this charity amounted to 
£119,180. 135. 9d.; and the proceedings were 
going on at the date of the Commissioners' re- 
port in June 1837.*— XXXII. Part II. p. 451. 



FOOTBALL LAND. 

JBoxted, Essex. 
In the Parliamentary Returns of 1786, it is 
stated, that an unknown donor gave a piece of land 
for the parishioners to exercise themselves in at 
football. This land is now called Camping Close, 
and consists of 2 acres, 3 roods, 13 perches. Part 

* On 23rd January, 1841, the Lord Chancellor, on 
giving judgment, directed that (as the primary object of 
the testator could not be carried into effect) the interest 
of this immense sum should be applied to the purposes 
of promoting education in schools, according to the 
principles and tenets of the established church, through- 
out England and Wales, not giving at any one time 
more than £20 to any one school. 

Malcolm makes this statement respecting Betton's 
Charity to poor slaves :— " In the year 1734 about 135 
captive Britons, nine of whom were commanders of vessels, 
arrived in England from states of Barbary, and were pre- 
sented to the King and the Lords of the Admiralty, and 
they afterwards dined together at the company's hall." 



136 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

of the field is used as a gravel pit, and there are 
some elm trees upon it. It is let at a yearly- 
rent of £2. 10s., which is carried to the account 
of the poor's rate.— XXXII. Part I. p. 628. 



ENCOURAGEMENT OF ARCHERY, PASTIME, AND 
HEALTHFUL RECREATIONS. 

Andover, Hampshire. 

The church tablet states that, in the year 1570, 
Catharine Hanson gave the Common Acre for the 
recreation of the inhabitants of the town, and 
that the corporation built four tenements upon it. 

It appears from the Corporation Minute Book, 
that in the reign of Queen Elizabeth a lease of 
the Common Acre was granted for twenty-one 
years to William Gold, at the rent of four shil- 
lings, on condition that he should keep a pair of 
butts for men to shoot at, and permit all persons to 
take their pastime there. This ground is now 
used as a place of recreation for the inhabitants of 
the town. No profit is derived from it. — XIV. 
p. 357. 



ENCOURAGING MAID-SERVANTS. 137 

ENCOURAGING MAID-SERVANTS. 

JBurfbrd, Oxfordshire. 

The Rev. James Frethern, of Kencot, by will, 
18th October 1663, gave forty shillings yearly 
to a maid- servant dwelling in a service wherein 
she had continued six years, not as an apprentice 
but as a hired yearly servant, without interrup- 
tion : and if the first or second master or mistress 
should die, and the survivor marry again, and she 
continue in the service, that should not be ac- 
counted any interruption, the maid-serVant living 
in good and commendable manners and unspotted 
fame, and being of the age of twenty-one years. 
And the testator directed that, if any year there 
should not be such a maid-servant, then that the 
forty shillings should be bestowed to help towards 
the placing out a poor boy or girl born in the 
town of Burford to service. 

This payment issues out of land which was 
the property of Mr. Edward Bradshaw, lately de- 
ceased. In 1811 the bailifTs of Burford received 
seven years' arrearages, which were disposed of to 
seven women of their selection. In 1822 they re- 
ceived eleven other years' arrears, which were 
disposed of to eleven women. The Commission- 
ers recommend the distribution to be made yearly, 
agreeable to the donor's will. — VIII. 484. 



138 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MAID-SERVANTS. 

Canterbury. 
John Cogan, by his will bearing date 27th July 
1657, reciting that he had lately purchased lands 
and tenements in the parishes of St. Mildred and 
St. Mary Castle, Canterbury, and in Thanington 
in Kent, of the yearly value of £35, which he 
hoped in ten years would improve in yearly value 
by £10, and which he intended to dispose of for 
the encouragement of maid servants, to continue 
in service for six or seven years together ; he there- 
fore willed and devised the sum of five pounds 
a piece to any such three maid servants as should, 
without compulsion, dwell with any master or 
mistress, not being their own kindred, within the 
city of Canterbury, for six or seven years together, 
without shifting their service; and he directed 
that such master or mistress should give a certi- 
ficate of such service, and that the wages had not 
exceeded fifty shillings a-year, to the mayor, 
recorder, and three or more of the aldermen of 
the said city for the time being ; and he further 
directed that the overplus, after keeping the said 
tenements in good repair, should be employed by 
the said mayor, recorder, and three of the said 
ancient aldermen for the time being, in clothing 
six fatherless maiden children, from the age of 
six to twelve years, each to have a petticoat and 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MAID-SERVANTS. 139 

waistcoat of coloured kersey, one pair of shoes, 
and one pair of stockings, on Christmas day ; and 
that they should go through the city of Canter- 
bury from parish to parish as the said overplus 
would extend. 

In 1835 the trustees disbursed an account of 
this Charity : — 

Repairs - 

Clothing seventy-five girls 

Ten maid-servants 

Stamps - . 



The premises are let at £101 per annum, 

XXX. p. 277. 



- £5 





59 14 


1 


- 50 





- 4 





£114 18 


1 



ENCOURAGEMENT OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR AND 
MATRIMONY. 

All Hallows, Exeter. 

Richard Bevis, by deed 16th June 1602, 
granted to two citizens of Exeter and their heirs, 
three tenements in the parish of St. Mary-the- 
More, in Exeter ; with a barn, tenement, garden, 
and two acres of land in St, Sidwell, in trust to 
levy and take out of such premises an annuity of 
£4, and to pay the same to the churchwardens of 
the respective parishes of St. Mary Arches, St. 



140 REMARKABLE CHARITTES. 

Olave, St. John Bow, and All Hallows-on-the- 
Walls, by equal payments of twenty shillings to 
the churchwardens of each parish; and it was 
thereby directed that the churchwardens should 
pay the same sum of twenty shillings yearly, for 
ever, unto two such poor maidens as should 
happen to be married in their respective parishes, 
being such as should have served within the 
same parish where every one should so be mar- 
ried, by the space of two years next before the 
time of the same marriage : and if one such 
maiden only should happen to be married in any 
parish, in any one year, that the whole sum of 
twenty shillings should be paid to her. And if it 
should happen that there should not be any such 
poor maiden married in any one year, in any one of 
the several parishes, that the whole sum of twenty 
shillings should be safely kept in that parish where 
no such marriage should happen to be, until the 
next year wherein such marriage or marriages 
should happen, and that then the arrearage, with 
the annuity of twenty shillings due for that year 
should be paid to such one or two poor maidens 
in one year, in that parish, namely, to one wholly 
if but one such marriage should happen to be ; 
but if two such marriages should happen to be, 
then to them both equally. 

The annuity is paid by Mr. Pearse, the owner 
of the premises charged, and the sum accumu- 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MAID-SERVANTS. 141 

lates in the hands of the churchwardens until ap- 
plication is made for it by a maiden of the parish, 
qualified according to the donor's direction ; and 
when that event happens, the whole sum accumu- 
lated is paid to her. The Commissioners were 
informed that the last payment took place in 
1818, when the applicant received £9. 

The claim is made at a parish meeting, and it is 
refused unless the bride bears a good character, 
and has served within the parish for the space of 
two years next before the marriage. — VIII. p. 122. 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MAID-SERVANTS. 

Guildford, Surrey. 

John How, by will, dated 27th January, 1674, 
devised certain freehold and copyhold premises 
to Elizabeth Tea and her heirs, with intent that 
she should pay to his overseers within six months 
after his decease, the sum of £400, to purchase 
therewith freehold lands, &c. or a yearly rent 
charge within 20 miles of Guildford, to pay the 
rents and profits thereof yearly into the hands of 
the Mayor of the town of Guildford for the time 
being, who, with the magistrates of that town, 
should choose two such poor servant-maids within 
the said town of good report, who should have 
served masters or mistresses there two years to- 



142 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

gether: which said two servant maids should throw 
two dice, or cast lots, and should pay one year's 
clear profit of the said premises to such maid as 
should throw the highest number, or to whom the 
lot should fall; and he directed that the other 
maid should the next year, if she should inhabit 
the said town and not be married, throw dice, or 
cast lots with another maid ; but that, if any one 
maid should lose by the dice or lots four times, 
she should not be afterwards admitted to throw 
or cast again. And the testator declared it to be 
his intent and meaning, that no servant maid or 
maids of any the mayor or magistrates aforesaid, 
should be admitted to throw or cast lots, or to 
receive the profits of the premises above once in 
seven years ; and that no maid should be chosen 
that should live in any inn or alehouse, although 
she should have served two years or more toge- 
ther, until she should have served for two years 
together elsewhere afterwards within the town. 

And the testator further gave to the Mayor of 
Guildford, a yearly annuity of 155. and to the 
Town Clerk an annuity of 5s. issuing out of lands 
in Shalford, to be paid yearly at Michaelmas, to 
the intent that they should keep a book and enter 
the names of the maids, and other proceedings in 
the charity, and as a compensation for the receipt 
and payment of the monies as aforesaid. 

By an order in Chancery, dated 29th June, 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR MAID-SERVANTS. 143 

1728. it appears that the sum of £400 was in- 
vested in the purchase of Bank Annuities, which 
were paid off at Lady Day 1728; and that, in 
pursuance of an order of Court, dated 26th June 
preceding, the produce was laid out in the pur- 
chase of £398 South Sea Annuities : it was or- 
dered, that, of the interest then in hand, so much 
should be applied as would be sufficient to make 
up the complete sum of £400 South Sea Annui- 
ties, which was to remain in the name of the ac- 
countant-general ; and that he should pay the 
dividends until the same should be laid out in the 
purchase of lands to the Mayor of Guildford, to 
apply the same according to the will of the said 
John How. 

This order was duly executed, and the sum of 
£400 South Sea Annuities still remains vested in 
the Mayor, to the use of the charity. 

The dividends, amounting to £12 annually, are 
reduced by an annual charge of 2 8s. for a power of 
attorney and affidavit to the sum of £10. 12s., 
which is duly paid over to a maid servant, the 
choice of whom is determined by the cast of dice 
between two, as directed by the will. 

The directions of the will appear also, in all 
other respects, to be duly attended to. 

The land charged with the annuities of 15s. to 
the Mayor, and 5s. to the Town Clerk, is the pro- 
perty of Henry Edmund Austen, esq. by whom 
the payments are duly made. — X. p. 641. 



144 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR APPRENTICES, GOOD CONDUCT 
REWARDED. 

Guildford, Surrey. 

John Parsons, by will, dated 3d July 1702, be- 
queathed to the Corporation of Guildford £600 
owing to him from the city of Chichester on mort- 
gage, at five per cent, the yearly profits thereof to 
be disposed of by the mayor and magistrates of 
Guildford for the time being, in manner following, 
viz. to pay the same to a poor young man who 
should have served an apprenticeship of seven 
years in the said town or liberties thereof, and 
should have become a freeman thereof (such 
young man first taking his oath before a lawful 
magistrate that he is not at that time directly or 
indirectly worth twenty pounds), that he may be 
the better enabled to set up his trade in the said 
town or liberties ; and so to another young man 
so qualified, so that no man may have it twice ; 
and in case it should happen that there should be 
no young man in the town qualified as aforesaid, 
he directed the mayor and magistrates to dispose 
thereof to a servant maid, who should have lived 
in good repute three years in one service in a pri- 
vate family in the said town, not in an inn, tavern, 
or alehouse ; and he directed that this his gift 
should be constantly paid to the young men or 
maids within one month after they should have 
received the profits of the foregoing year : and he 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR APPRENTICES. 145 

directed that his executor should deliver to the 
said mayor and magistrates all writings concern- 
ing the premises ; and in case the corporation of 
Chichester should be willing to pay the said £600, 
that they should pay the same to the said mayor 
and magistrates, in trust, however, to be em- 
ployed to purchase lands therewith, and to apply 
the yearly rents in manner aforesaid ; and in case 
the said mayor and magistrates should neglect or 
refuse to apply either the principal or interest to 
any other use than was therein expressed, he di- 
rected that the same should be forfeited to the 
corporation of Chichester ; and in case they 
should so neglect or refuse, then that the same 
should return to the corporation of Guildford. 

In 1796 the sum of £532. Os. 5d. was purchased 
in the four per cent, consols, and invested in the 
name of the mayor and approved men of the town 
of Guildford, which produced an annual dividend 
of £21. 5s. 6d. 

This income is for the most part given to young- 
men who have served apprenticeships of seven 
years in the town, and have become freemen, and 
appear in other respects to answer the requisites 
of the will, an oath being first duly taken by the 
candidate that he is not worth £20. 

In two recent instances, no young man being 
found properly qualified, the dividends were paid 
to servant maids who had each lived three years 

H 



146 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

in good repute in a private family in the town. — 
X. p. 641. 



BEQUEST TO ENCOURAGE AND REWARD RELIGIOUS 
GOOD CONDUCT, VIRTUE, AND MORALITY, IN FE- 
MALE SERVANTS. 

Maidenhead, Berks. 

Dame Ann Pocock, by will dated 21st July 
1816, bequeathed for the benefit of ten single 
women servants, not under the age of twenty- 
five years, who should have lived seven years 
in one service in the town of Maidenhead or 
its vicinity, and be therein at the time of ap- 
plying for this bequest, £10 each, to be given for 
the first time within one year after her decease, 
for the encouragement of religious good conduct, 
virtue, and morality, and to be afterwards given 
at the end of every two years, after the distribu- 
tion, as above directed, and for ever. No woman 
to have the bequest more than once. 

The distribution takes place on 6th July, every 
alternate year, and public notice is previously 
given in the churches. — XXXII. pt. i. p. 82. 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FEMALE SERVANTS. 

Oxford. 

Robert Whorwood, about the year 1687, gave 
by will £100 to the mayor, bailiffs, and com- 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOB FEMALE SERVANTS. 147 

monalty of Oxford, the interest to be disposed of 
by them in paying £5 per annum to a maid ser- 
vant, as they should think fit, in such manner as 
the hundred pounds given to them in his lifetime 
was disposed of, to be secured for that purpose 
under the city seal. 

Ten pounds, as the interest of these two bene- 
factions, are disposed of on St. Thomas's day to 
two maid servants, each of them having lived 
seven years in one service. The persons are 
elected by the mayor, recorder, aldermen, assist- 
ants, bailiffs, and town clerk. The daughters of 
freemen are preferred, according to regulations 
drawn up for the management of this Charity. 
The income is provided for by £333. 6s. 8d. three 
per cent, consols, which is set apart expressly for 
this purpose. — VI. p. 389. 



BOUNTIFUL ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FEMALE 
SERVANTS. 

Beading, Berks. 

John Kendricke, in 1624, amongst other gifts to 
this town, gave £100 to poor maids of Reading, 
at their several marriages, by forty shillings 
a-piece, to be given only to such as should have 
lived seven years in any one place. 

John Blagrave, by will, dated 30th June, 1611, 
devised to Joseph Blagrave and his heirs, a man- 

H 2 



148 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

sion house in Swallowfield, and all his lands and 
messuages in Swallowlield, Eversley, and Read- 
ings on condition that they should yearly, for ever, 
upon Good Friday, between the hours of six and 
nine in the morning, pay £10 in a new purse of 
leather, to the mayor and burgesses, to the in- 
tent that they should provide that the same 
should be yearly bestowed in the forenoon of the 
same day in manner following, viz. twenty nobles 
to one poor maiden servant who should have 
served, dwelt, and continued in any one service 
within any of the three parishes of Reading, in 
good name and fame five years at the least, for 
her preferment in marriage; and, to avoid par- 
tiality in the choice, he ordered that there should 
be every Good Friday, three such maidens in 
election, to cast and try by lot whose the fortune 
should be, and that of those three one should be 
taken out of each parish, if it could be ; and that 
every fifth year, one of the three should be chosen 
from Southcote, if any there should have lived so 
long ; and that there should be special choice of 
such maids as had served longest in any one 
place, and whose friends were of least ability to 
help them. That ten shillings should be given 
on the same day to the preacher of St. Lawrence 5 s, 
for a sermon ; and that, after sermon, there should 
be twenty shillings given to threescore of the 
poorest householders of the same parish, who 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FEMALE SERVANTS. 149 

should accompany the maiden to whom the lot 
had fallen, home to her dwelling place, and there 
leave her with her purse of twenty nobles. That 
the ringers should have three shillings and four- 
pence to ring a peal till the said maiden reached 
home. That twenty shillings, part of the £10, 
be sent to threescore poor people of the parish of 
St. Mary, and six shillings to twenty-four poor 
people of St. Giles's parish, threepence apiece; 
and that the clerk of St. Lawrence^s and the 
youngest churchwarden should have three shil- 
lings and fourpence each. 

Three girls are selected by the mayor and alder- 
men on Good Friday morning, one from each 
of the three parishes in Reading. The applicants 
produce a certificate of a continued service in one 
family for five years at the least. They each 
throw three dice, and the one who gains the high- 
est number is announced as the " lucky maiden," 
and receives a purse containing the 20 nobles 
(£6. 13s. 4d.) The person gaining this prize is 
not considered eligible to be elected to stand for 
either of the other charities of the same descrip- 
tion. 

The girl who throws the second highest num- 
ber receives £4, and the third £3, from Mr, An- 
nesley^s charity hereinafter mentioned. 



150 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

ARCHBISHOP LAUD'S CHARITY, 1640. 

In every third year twelve girls receive portions of 
£25 each. Such girls are selected by the visitors, 
and each produces a certificate of character and 
three years' service. Orphans are preferred, and 
those who are understood to be about to be mar- 
ried, and in general they are upwards of 20 years 
of age. 



THE CHARITY OF BOUDRY AND RICHARDS. 

By indenture, dated 10th April 1755, between 
the Rev. William Boudry and John Richards of 
the one part, and the corporation of Reading of 
the other part, reciting that there were already 
two good benefactions given to the maid servants 
of Reading, to encourage them to be industrious 
and to continue in their services, and that they 
the parties of the first part having seen the good 
effect of those two charities, an$l being desirous 
to give further encouragement to servants to be 
industrious and continue in their places, had 
purchased two plots of garden ground, which 
they had resolved to convey to the mayor, alder- 
men, and burgesses, upon the trusts thereinafter 
mentioned ; which said plots were accordingly 
conveyed to the said mayor, aldermen, and bur- 
gesses, upon trust, to meet yearly at the Guildhall 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FEMALE SERVANTS. 151 

on the last Monday in August, about nine in the 
morning, and then, out of the rents and profits of 
the said land, pay 4s. to the town clerk for writ- 
ing down the maidens' names that should offer 
themselves candidates, and for entering the names 
of those maidens who should be elected to try for 
this charity; always distinguishing the " lucky 
maid," who should receive this charity from the 
other two, and that they should pay to the day 
bellman Is. in case he should attend such lucky 
maid home. And upon further trust, that they 
should yearly, on the day beforementioned, elect 
three maid servants of the Established Church, 
who should have respectively served in any one 
service within the three parishes of Reading, in 
good name and fame, five years at the least, one 
out of each parish, if it so might be, excepting, 
that as the parish of St. Lawrence was larger and 
likely to produce more candidates than St. Giles's, 
that every fifth year no maid should be elected 
out of St. Giles's, but two from St. Lawrence and 
one from St. Mary's, and if it should happen that 
no maid should offer herself duly qualified in any 
one of the three parishes, the deficiency might be 
supplied out of either of the other two, and the 
better to avoid partiality, that such three maid 
servants, when elected, should cast and try with 
three dice, and such maid who should throw the 
highest, should receive the residue of the rents of 



152 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

the premises, all reasonable expenses being de- 
ducted ; and it was provided that, as this charity 
was intended as an aid to Mr. Blagrave's, and as 
it was reasonable to suppose that the mayor and 
aldermen would give a preference to their own 
maid servants, it was expressly declared that no 
maid servant should be qualified to be elected to 
try for this charity by serving any mayor, alder- 
man, or burgess of this borough, if there should 
be others duly qualified ; and if there should not 
appear a sufficient number so qualified, then they 
might choose the maid servant of any alderman, 
duly qualified in other respects, to make up the 
deficiency, this charity being chiefly intended for 
the servants of those who were not aldermen or 
burgesses ; and it was provided that no maid ser- 
vant should be elected to throw for this charity 
twice, if there should be any maid servant in the 
same parish duly qualified who should offer her- 
self, that had not been before elected to throw ; 
and that no maid servant that had received either 
of the charities given by Archbishop Laud and 
John Blagrave, should be capable of being elected 
to throw for this charity, and that no deduction 
or fee, save as aforesaid, should be made out of 
the rents of the premises. 

The Corporation meet on the last Monday in 
August at the council chamber, when the candi- 
dates attend, and their names are taken down by 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FEMALE SERVANTS. 153 

the town clerk. The certificates and testimonials 
are examined, and the Corporation select one 
maid servant from each parish, who has lived five 
years at least in one continued service. There 
are generally ten or twelve from each of the larger 
parishes, and about four or five from St. Gileses. 
When the three persons are selected the public 
are admitted, and the three girls throw three dice 
at once, and the girl who throws the highest 
number obtains the prize. In August 1 835 u the 
Lucky Maid," as she is called, received £28. 

The town clerk and bellman receive their fees 
of four shillings and one shilling each, and a 
purse is given to the girl, with the money con- 
tained in it. The average age of the girls re- 
ceiving this charity is from 23 to 24 years of age. 



ANNESLEY's CHARITY. 

Martin Annesley, Esq. a very old member of 
the Corporation, 18th August 1809, addressed a 
letter to the mayor and aldermen, wherein, in 
allusion to the preceding charities, he stated that 
from motives of kindness for the unsuccessful 
candidates on Good Friday, he had about 20 
years before, been induced to make a small do- 
nation to alleviate their disappointment, and 
that it was his wish to make the same more se- 
cure and permanent than it then was * * * * 



154 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

and, he added, that it was his particular wish 
that the Corporation would accept the trust of 
this small benefaction, and permit him to transfer 
into their names the sum of £350 stock, to be 
disposed of in the same proportions as his mite 
was on Good Friday. 

In another letter, dated 10th August 1820, 
Mr. Annesley, after stating that Mr. Boudry and 
Mr. Richards, by their deed, 10 April 1755, had 
directed that as the parish of St. Laurence was 
much larger, and likely to produce a greater num- 
ber of candidates than the parish of St. Giles, 
therefore, every fifth year no maid should b e 
elected out of the parish of St. Giles, but two 
of the said three should be taken out of the 
parish of St. Laurence and one from St. Mary, 
expressed his opinion, that by alterations in the 
population, the inhabitants of St. Giles, and con- 
sequently the servants, had become as numerous 
as the parish of St. Laurence, for which reason 
he wished in every such fifth year wherein, by 
the above directions, the parish of St. Giles would 
be excluded, that three maids should be elected 
out of the parish of St. Giles only, to throw for 
his addition, and he particularly wished that no 
servant who should obtain or even throw for his 
donation, should be precluded from the benefit 
they might be entitled to at any future election. 

Mr. Annesley died in 1822, having added to 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR FEMALE SERVANTS. 155 

the amount of stock at first given ; and there is 
now, in respect of this charity, the sum of £500 
three per cent, consols, standing in the names of 
the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses of Reading, 
and producing an annual dividend of £15, which 
is disposed of according to the directions of the 
donor. 

On Good Friday the sum of £4 is paid to the 
second lucky maid, who throws for Blagrave^s 
charity, and £3 to the third. And on the last 
Monday in August the same sums are paid in the 
same way to the second and third candidates for 
the gift of Boudry and Richards, and the sum of 
six shillings is paid annually for four" purses to 
contain the money given to the candidates. — 
XXXII. pt. i. pp. 31—48. 



Mrs. Rachel Veasey, by will dated 11 Nov. 
1790, bequeathed £805 New South Sea Stock, to 
the vicar and churchwardens of the parish of St. 
Laurence in trust, amongst other things, to pay, on 
St. Thomases day, £4. 4s. a-year to two servant 
girls of the borough of Reading, who should have 
lived two years in one place, and could have a 
good character from such place. — XXXII. pt. i. 
p. 139. 



156 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE GOOD AND WELL 
DISPOSED. 

Wargrave, Berks. 

Mrs. Sarah Hill in 1822 gave £400 three per 
cent, consols, producing £12 per annum, to the 
vicar and churchwardens of Wargrave, the in- 
terest to be applied as follows : 

To two labourers of the parish of Wargrave, 
whose characters should stand the highest for 
honesty, sobriety, and industry, the sum of £l 
each, yearly, at Easter. To six widows of War- 
grave, or any old unmarried woman of the same 
place, whose characters were unimpeachable, the 
sum of ten shillings each at Easter. £3 a-year 
to be set apart and applied every four years, to a 
female servant who had lived the greatest num- 
ber of years in one place in Wargrave parish, not 
less than four years, and whose character for 
honesty, sobriety, and good conduct was un- 
doubted. £3 a year to the National School, and 
£l a-year at Easter to be given, in new crown 
pieces as honorary medals, to two boys and two 
girls of the National School aforesaid. No boy 
to receive the reward who was undutiful to his 
parents, or was ever heard to swear, to tell 
untruths, or known to steal, or break windows, or 
do any kind of mischief; and no girl was to re- 
ceive the reward who was not in every respect 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SERVANTS. 157 

modest, attentive to business, and well behaved. 
And Mrs. Hill sincerely hoped that these dona- 
tions, however small, might, in some degree 
answer the intended purpose of encouraging the 
good and well disposed. The constant attend- 
ance at the parish church to be also a requisite re- 
commendation. — XXXII. pt. i. p. 130. 



ENCOURAGEMENT FOR SERVANTS. 

War grave, Berks. 

The Rev. Walter Sellon, by will dated 1793, 
gave the sum of £400 to the parish of Wargrave, 
the interest to be applied as follows ; namely £10 
a-year to a servant man, native of Wargrave, who 
should have lived three years in one place ; and 
to a maid servant £10 another year, and so alter- 
nately, no person to receive the benefaction twice; 
30s. a-year to the poor of the parish, and 10s. 
a-year to the vicar or curate to preach a sermon 
on Michaelmas Day, setting forth the reciprocal 
duties of master and servant. 

The £400 is in the three per cent, consols. — 
XXXII. pt. i. p. 129. 



158 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

PRAYER AND LOYALTY. 

Hilderstone. 

Sir Thomas Hunt, by will dated 28th April 
1625, gave to the vicar and churchwardens of 
Hilderstone, where his house stood, to the use of 
the poor there for ever, 53s. 4d. a-year for six 
poor men and women, by 2d. a-piece every sab- 
bath day in bread ; to the sexton or clerk, for 
setting the bread on the table, the odd \6d. ; to 
the churchwardens, to buy them a pair of gloves, 
for distributing the same bread to the poor ; and 
these poor, after service, if they should be well 
and have no convenient let, should come every 
sabbath day to the stone where his father lays, 
kneeling, should say the Lord^s prayer, and pray / 
to God for the King and Queen then reigning \J 
over them, and for no other use; he would have 
the people chosen by the vicar and church- 
wardens to be of honest and good conversation, 
and so they should enjoy it during their lives. — 
XVI. p. 333. 



^U 



LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM. 159 

LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM. 

Alcester, Warwickshire. 

Robert Wilcox, by will, dated 24th December 
1627, gave a house and close to the town of Al- 
cester, for the maintenance of three sermons in 
the year, viz. : — 

u One upon the 5 th of November, in remembrance 
of our happy deliverance, with our King, Nobles, 
and States, from the pestilent design of the Papists 
in the Powder Plot ; one on the 1 7th November, in 
remembrance of that good Queen Elizabeth her 
entrance unto the Crown ; and the third upon the 
last day of July, in remembrance of the Lord' 's gra- 
cious deliverance from the Spanish Armada in 88." 

And whereas the rent was 20s. by the year then, 
and the goodwife Lilly having her life in it, after 
her decease no doubt the house and close would 
be worth 305. by the year : then his will was that 
the said overplus should be given to the poor 
every year, as the rent should come in, for ever. 

The rent in 1826 amounted to 61. per annum, 
and there was an accumulation of 18/. 13s. 2c?. in 
hand.— XV. p. 515. 



160 RFMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

PATRIOTISM AND THANKFULNESS. 

Leicester, 

Thomas Hayne,, by will, in 1640, gave 20s. yearly 
for a preacher in Leicester for a sermon to be 
preached in some church near the midst of Leices- 
ter, by the appointment of the mayor, near the 
time of the year in which the Spanish Armada was 
defeated in 1588, for a thanksgiving to God for 
that great mercy to this land. 

This sum of 205. is paid to the vicar ef St. 
Martin's.— XXXII. pt. v. p. 33. 



CHARITY FOR SERMONS, &C. TO COMMEMORATE 
NATIONAL MERCIES. 

St. Nicholas, Nottingham. 

Luke Jackson, citizen and girdler, of London, 
by will dated 26th January 1630, reciting that he 
was seised in fee of certain tithes at or near Horse- 
pool in the county of Leicester, being about the 
value of 20/. per annum, devised the same to 
certain persons on trust, yearly to pay the clear 
rents and profits thereof in manner following; 
that is to say, two equal third parts as followeth : 
40s. thereof yearly to be given for two sermons to 
be preached in St. Peter's church, in the town of 
Nottingham, on 28th July and 5th November, 
acknowledging God's mercy, and giving thanks for 
the deliverance of this land and people at two seve- 



BEQUEST FOR A SERMON AND PSALM. 161 

ral times from the Invincible Armada (as it was 
termed) in 1588,, and from the Gunpowder Plot in 
1605 .- and the residue of the said two thirds to be 
distributed amongst the poor people in the parish 
of St. Peter, at the discretion of his five feoffees ; 
and the other third part of the clear profits of the 
said tithes as followeth, viz. 40s. for two sermons 
to be preached in the church of Thornton near 
Horsepool on the tivo above mentioned days ; and 
the residue to be distributed amongst the poor 
people in the parish of Thornton, at the discretion 
of his feoffees. 

In 1827 the annual income, in respect of this 
charity, amounted to 83/. 18s. 5c?. — XX. p. 480, 



BEQUEST FOR A SERMON, AND FOR SINGING A PSALM 
AT THE ASSIZES. 

St. Michael, Gloucester. 

It appears by the benefaction table, that Giles 
Marden, by will, dated 14th March 1727; gave to 
the churchwardens of this parish for the time 
being, 1 1/. 10s., to be placed out at interest, the 
amount arising on 10/. thereof to be paid for ever, 
for the preaching a sermon in the afternoon in 
the church on every assizes Sunday that should 
happen after Trinity Term for ever; and the inte- 
rest of the remaining 30s. to be paid for ever to 



162 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

the clerk of the said parish for ringing the bell, 
and singing a psalm at such sermon yearly. 

The commissioners report that this sum of 
11/. 105. was in the hands of the late rector at 
his decease (with other sums to the amount of 
71/. 10s. secured by his bond, and yielding 5 per 
cent, per annum). — XIV. p. 47. 



MUSIC 

Richard Lane, otherwise Tomson, by his will, 
dated 24 th July 1619, gave to one of the deacons 
of the cathedral church of Hereford 405. yearly 
for ever to prick fairly into books, songs and 
church service, for the use of the same church ; 
and upon his coming every half year for his wages, 
he should bring with him the sub-chanter of the 
choir, who should show to him who had the pay- 
ment of the money, what he had done in that 
business the half year last past ; and if he should 
be found negligent therein, then the payment for 
that time should be given to twelve poor men the 
Saturday next following. — XXXII. pt. ii.p. 12. u 



MUSICAL REMEMBRANCE. 163 

MUSICAL REMEMBRANCE. 

Westbury, Wilts. 

Elizabeth Townsend, widow, by her will, dated 
11th June 1820, gave unto the churchwardens and 
overseers of the parish of Westbury as much 
money as should be sufficient, when invested in 
the stocks, to yield the yearly sum of 31. clear of 
all deductions, upon trust to pay the dividends 
thereof unto the vicar, organist, parish clerk, and 
choir of the parish church of Westbury for the 
time being, upon special condition that the said 
choir should for ever thereafter, in the morning 
and afternoon service at the parish church on the 
Sunday preceding the 24th of June in each year, 
sing the anthem composed by her late husband's 
grandfather, Roger Town send, from the 150th 
Psalm, and also the 112th Psalm, for which the 
vicar was to have 45., the organist 10$. the clerk 
5s., and 4s. a-piece to the choir singers, viz. two 
counter, two tenor, three treble, and three bass 
singers, and in default of their singing, then to 
divide such 31. amongst the poor at Christmas. — 
XXVII. p. 781. 

The same person made a similar bequest to the 
choir of the parish church of Warminster, Wilts, 
—XXVII. p. 782. 



164 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

BEQUEST TO COMMEMORATE A HAPPY AND WON- 
DERFUL DELIVERANCE FROM FIRE. 

St. Michael, Gloucester. 

It appears by a reference to the benefaction 
table^ that Mr. John Blanch, late of Barton 
Street^ by will, gave £50 to the churchwardens 
and overseers of this parish, upon trust, to equally 
divide the interest thereof among ten poor house- 
keepers of either hamlet that do not receive alms, 
and are persons of sober lives and strict observers 
of the sabbath; and also the sum of £22, the 
interest thereof to be given to the minister for 
preaching a sermon on the 29th day of October, 
yearly, in St. Michael's church, in commemora- 
tion of a happy and wonderful deliverance he that 
day experienced from fire. — XIV. p. 49. 



SERMONS OF THANKFULNESS FOR PRESERVATION IN 
THE GREAT FIRE IN 1666. 

St. Andrew Undershaft, London. 

Thomas Rich, by will dated 31st July, 1672, 
devised to Sir William Thompson and thirteen 
others, and their heirs and assigns, a messuage 
and premises situate in Lime Street, in this 
parish, on trust, to permit the minister and 
churchwardens to let the same, and receive the 
rents thereof, to be by them, and the overseers of 



FOR PRESERVATION FROM FIRE. 165 

the parish, distributed as follows ; viz. 40s. yearly 
to the minister of this parish, who should yearly 
preach two sermons in the said parish, one on 
New Year's day, and the other on the third Tues- 
day in September, in thankfulness to God for 
the preservation of the said parish from the 
dreadful fire in 1666 ; viz. 20s. for each sermon, 
and to the clerk and sexton Ss. Ad. each; and 
£3 yearly to the parish of St. Catharine Cree- 
church, London ; and the remainder to be distri- 
buted on St. Thomas's day to honest and most 
wanting housekeepers of the said parish of St. 
Andrew Undershaft, charged with children, who 
should be of a godly life, and of a good report, 
not inmates, nor scandalized with any notorious 
vice, to every one of them, men or women, in 
that description of poverty, 20s. or more, to 
make even the said residue of the said rents and 
profits. 

In 1795 (this house and premises then pro- 
ducing £14 per annum) the East India Company 
contracted with the parish for the purchase 
thereof, engaging to invest such a sum of money 
as would produce to the parish £20 a year in the 
three per cent, consols, as a consideration for 
the said house and premises, which agreement was 
subsequently carried into effect; and £666. 13s. 4d. 
was transferred, the interest to be paid to the 
rector and churchwardens, to be by them applied 



166 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

to the purposes of Mr. Rich's will. — XXIII. p. 
185. 



FIRE OF LONDON, 1666. 

St. Andrew, Holborn, London. 

Mr. Thomas Tuck, who died in the year 16*70, 
gave by will 40s. per annum, for ever, to this 
parish ; viz. 20s. for a sermon on the 4th day of 
September in every year, to deplore the calamity 
of the dreadful fire in London in 1666, and 20s. 
to be distributed in bread among the poor of the 
same parish, on that day after sermon. But it is 
not known that this gift ever was paid. — XIV. p. 
122. 



TO COMMEMORATE THE PRESERVATION OF THE 
CHURCH FROM FIRE. 

St. Magnus, London. 
Susanna Chambers, by will dated 28th Decem- 
ber, 1640, gave the sum of 20s. a year to the 
parson of the parish church of St. Magnus, on 
London bridge, or such other preacher of God's 
word as should be appointed, for a sermon to be 
preached on the 12th day of February in every 
year, within the said parish church of St. Magnus, 
or in any other church near thereunto, in com- 



PRESERVATION OF CHURCH FROM FIRE. 167 

memoration of God's merciful preservation of the 
said Church of St. Magnus from ruin in that late 
and terrible fire on London Bridge ; and also the 
yearly sum of lfs. 6c?. to the poor of the said 
parish of St. Magnus, to be distributed amongst 
them every year on the said 12th day of Fe- 
bruary ; and also the sum of 2s. 6d. yearly unto 
the clerk and sexton of the Church where such 
sermon should be preached, equally betwixt 
them, for their pains and service on the said day. 
The premises charged with the above payment 
are situate in Hornsey Lane, and occupied by 
William Abud, by whom the annual sum of 
17$. 6d. is paid to the churchwardens, and carried 
to their general account. No sermon had been 
preached on 12th February for many years prior 
to the commissioners' report in 1830, nor had 
the annuity of 20s. been paid to the rector, nor 
that of 2s. 6d. to the clerk and sexton. — XXIII. 
p. 237. 



CHARITY IN COMMEMORATION OF JOHN BUNYAN. 

Bedford. 
Samuel Whitbread, esq. by will dated the 13th 
July, 1795, gave to the trustees of the Old Meet- 
ing, out of respect to the memory of John 
Bunyan, and for the relief of the poor of the con- 



168 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

gregation, five hundred pounds, to be laid out by 
his executors in the three per cent, consols, and 
the dividends to be annually applied in giving 
bread to the poor in quartern loaves every sab- 
bath morning, from October to May. 

After the death of Mr. Whitbread, the sum of 
£500, instead of being laid out in stock, was, at 
the request of his son the late Samuel Whitbread, 
Esq. allowed to remain in his hands on the secu- 
rity of his bond, conditioned for the investment 
of £980 three per cent, consols, being so much 
stock as the £500 would then purchase. 

A bond, subject to the same condition, was 
executed about 1819 by William Henry Whit- 
bread, Esq. eldest son of the late Samuel Whit- 
bread, in lieu of the former bond. 

The interest payable on the bond amounts to 
£29. 8s. per annum, which is received regularly 
by the trustees of the Old Meeting, and is laid 
out by them in the purchase of quartern loaves, 
which are distributed at the meeting house every 
Sabbath day, from May to October, among such 
poor persons of the congregation as the trustees 
select.— VI. p. 29. 



CHARITY TO THRASHERS. 169 

CHARITY TO THRASHERS. 

Charlton, Wilts. 

The Parliamentary Return of 1J86 gives the 
following account of this charity : 

a Lord Viscount Palmerston, in ] 734, by deed, 
gave for thrashers, land producing £l. Is. per 
annum, in whom vested not known." 

The commissioners were informed that it was 
understood that Lord Palmerston, about 80 years 
since, gave about an acre of land in Rushall Field, 
the rent whereof was to be applied annually to 
give a dinner to the thrashers of this parish to 
commemorate Stephen Duck the poet, who was 
originally a thrasher of Charlton. The parish of 
Rushall was inclosed, and by the award dated 
12th January 1804, a piece of arable land, mea- 
suring one acre and fifteen poles, was awarded in a 
different part of Rushall Field. The land is now 
called Duck's Acre, and let to Farmer Daniel, of 
Rushall, at £2. 9s. 9d. as a yearly tenant. The 
land tax, amounting to 3s. per annum was re- 
deemed by a subscription raised in the parish. 

The rent is paid for a dinner, which is annually 
given on the 1st June to the thrashers of this pa- 
rish.- XXVIII. p. 380. 



170 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

BEQUEST TO COMMEMORATE THE VICTORY OFF 
TRAFALGAR, 

Bristol, St. Nicholas. 

Richard Aldridge gave the interest of £200 
three per cent, consols on trust, that the divi- 
dends should for ever be disposed of as follows : 

£l. Is. to the vicar of the parish of St. Nicho- 
las, for performing morning service annually in 
the parish church, on the 21st October, and 
preaching a sermon in commemoration of the glo- 
rious victory obtained by Lord Nelson over the 
combined fleets of France and Spain, off Cape 
Trafalgar, on the 21st October 1805; 105. 6d. 
equally between the clerk and sexton for their 
attendance at such service and sermon. 

The residue of the dividends to be applied in 
keeping a monument of his friend in good con- 
dition, and the surplus after such repair to be 
given to the poor on 6th December every year in 
coals and garments. — X. p. 443. 



BEQUEST TO COMMEMORATE LORD NELSON'S 
VICTORY OFF TRAFALGAR. 1805. 

Stroud, Gloucestershire. 
In the year 1814 £100 three per cent, consols 
was given by Richard Aldridge, esquire, to Messrs. 
Scudamore and Holbrow for the express purpose 



LORD NELSON'S VICTORY. 17 1 

as follows : to pay one guinea to the officiating 
minister of Stroud, in the county and diocese of 
Gloucester, for preaching a sermon commemorative 
of National Mercies on the 2\st day of October an- 
nually, being the day on which the victory was ob- 
tained by Lord Nelson off Trafalgar over the French 
fleet in the year 1805. Also to pay to the clerk of 
the parish of Stroud 5s., to the sexton 2s. 6d., and 
to the organist 5s. for their respective attendance 
on such days, and not otherwise ; moreover, to 
pay for a number of twopenny loaves, and to dis- 
tribute the same among as many of the children of 
the charity or free schools held at Stroud Hill, 
Whites Hill, and the Thrup, as do attend on the 
said 21st day of October, as far as the money in 
hand will allow of, and should there be any surplus 
the same is to be given away in rewards to the 
children of the sunday school at White's Hill, at 
the discretion of the officiating minister for the 
time being. — XIV. p. 78. 



MONUMENT AND CHARITY IN COMMEMORATION OF 
CAPTAIN COOK, THE CELEBRATED NAVIGATOR. 

Cambridge, Parish of St. Andrew. 

f Mrs. Elizabeth Cook, of Clapham, Surrey, widow 
of Captain Cook, by her will, dated 8th April,1833, 
gave to the minister, churchwardens, and over- 

i 2 



172 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

seers, of St. Andrew the Great, and their succes- 
sors, £1000 three per cent, consols, upon trust, 
to apply the dividends and interest in and towards 
the keeping clean and in repair the monument and 
inscription put up by her in the church to the me- 
mory of her husband Captain Cook and family, as 
also a stone in the middle of the said church, with 
her name and the names of her sons inscribed, 
and to be inscribed thereon ; and after payment of 
the charges incident thereto, and of £2 annually to 
the minister for the trouble he might have in th e 
trust, the residue of the interest and dividends to 
be distributed yearly on 21st December equally, 
between five poor aged women of good character, 
resident within and belonging to the parish, and 
not receiving parochial relief, to be named by 
the minister, churchwardens, and overseers, for 
the time being, or a majority. 

After payment of the legacy duty the residue 
was invested in the three per cent, consols, in the 
names of trustees, and produces £2*J a year. — 
XXXI. p. 45. 



GRATITUDE FOR BEING PRESERVED IN A BATTLE. 

Bristol, St. James. 

Ezekiel Nash, for a memorial of his thankfulness 
to Almighty God for his wonderful preservation 
in an engagement with a French frigate March the 



GRATITUDE FOR PRESERVATION IN BATTLE. 173 

8th, 1 762, gave by will, 27th March, 1800, the sum 
of £100, to the churchwardens and overseers for 
the time being of such parish as he should be bu- 
ried in, upon trust, to invest the same and apply 
the interest annually in manner following, viz. to 
the minister of the same parish, for preaching a 
a sermon yearly on the 8th of March, for ever, one 
guinea : to the clerk and sexton for their attend- 
ance 5s. each : the residue in the purchase of bread 
to be distributed on the 8th March and the six 
Sundays next following, among such poor persons 
of the parish whom the minister, churchwardens, 
and overseers, should think fit objects to receive 
the same, not receiving alms or other charity. 

It appears by the churchwardens' book that £93. 
16s. Sd. was received on account of this legacy, al- 
lowing for legacy duty and postage. 

It was invested in the year 1804 in the pur- 
chase of £100 navy five per cents, in the names 
of Samuel Fripp and others. — IX. p. 439. 



Uenbury, Gloucestershire. 

The Wellington Charity Fund is recorded in 
the Church in the following terms : 

The undermentioned inhabitants of this parish 
having on the 24th day of July 1814, subscribed 
the sum of £136. I'Js. 9d. in commemoration of 
the late glorious peace with France, after a war of 



174 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

twenty years and upwards, it was agreed that the 
same should be invested in government security, 
and the same now stands invested in the purchase 
of £200 three per cent, reduced bank annui- 
ties, in the names of the Rev. Walter Trevelyan, 
clerk, Edward Sampson, and George Baber, as 
churchwardens, and Thomas Daniel, esq. to be 
called, " The Wellington Charity Fund," upon 
trust, to distribute the dividends thereof in bread 
or otherwise, to the poor of the said parish, either 
in the month of January or February, yearly, for 
ever, at the discretion of the minister and church- 
wardens for the time being." The subscribers 5 
names then follow in the same table. The income 
£6 a year, is distributed in bread in January and 
February.— XVIII. p. 304. 



LOYALTY. 

Bristol, St. John Baptist. 

Mr. John Farr's gift to record his loyalty is 
thus noticed in the Parish Ledger : 
"July 19, 1821. 

" Mr. John Farr presented to the Reverend 
William Mirehouse, curate, and the vestry of this 
parish, a silver goblet in commemoration of the 
coronation of his majesty King George the 
Fourth, which took place this day ; also 25 gui- 



LOYALTY. 175 

neas, the interest thereof to be given as follows, 
viz. 

rJ* Five shillings for wine at the election of church- 
wardens every year, to be drank out of the afore- 
said goblet, and 205. a year, to be given to the 
women residing in St. John's almshouse on the 
11th day of December, except there should be a 
coronation in that year, then the women are to 
receive the 20s. on that day instead of the 11th of 
December/'— X. p. 461. 



BELL RINGING TO COMMEMORATE THE ACCESSION 
OF KING GEORGE THE FOURTH. 

Margate, St. Johns Parish. 

It is recorded on a tablet in the committee room 
of the workhouse of this parish, that John Jarvis, 
M.D. on the 29th January 1825, gave £50, the 
interest whereof being 50s. yearly, in trust, to the 
guardians and churchwardens, to pay the same to 
St. John^s (Than et), Youths Societyof Change Ring- 
ers on the 30th of January, in every year, provided 
they should ring one peal of grandsire triples, or 
not less than six hours 5 change ringing on the bells 
in the parish steeple on the 29th of January, the 
anniversary of the accession of King George IV. 
and whenever they should neglect so to do, the 
interest thenceforth to be equally divided between 



176 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

five the oldest men, and five the oldest women in 
the parish house. 

This donation was forfeited by the ringers not 
performing the conditions attached to it, since 
which time the interest has been divided amongst 
five of the oldest men and five of the oldest wo- 
men in the workhouse, as ordered by the donor. 
—XXX. p. 558. 



BEQUEST TO COMMEMORATE THE PASSING OF THE 
REFORM ACT. 

Lugwardine, Herefordshire. 

Moses Edwards bequeathed to the poor a rent 
charge of £5 per annum, for coals, to be distri- 
buted among them on the anniversary of the pass- 
ing the Reform Act.— XXXII. pt. ii. 135. 



CHARITY ILL-DIRECTED. 

Stanton upon Wye, Herefordshire, fyc. 

George Jarvis, Esq. gave, by will, in 1790, 
£30,000, to be invested in government securities, 
in trust, to apply the yearly produce thereof in 
money, provision, physic, or clothes, to the poor 
of this parish, of Bredwardine and Litten. 



TO ENCOURAGE MARRIAGES. 1 77 

The funds applicable to the objects of the do- 
nor's will in these parishes in 1822 had increased 
from £30,000 to £92,496. 17s. 9d. bank three 
per cent, consols. 

The commissioners observed, " that the popu- 
lation of the three parishes was only 1180, and 
the income arising from the charity, nearly £3000 
per annum, it must be obvious that even under 
the most judicious system of management such a 
charity would be likely to be productive of consi- 
derable evils, and accordingly it appeared at the 
time of the inquiry, that it had encouraged a spirit 
of discontent and a disposition to idleness and 
improvidence, and had attracted to the parishes 
numerous persons from other districts, with a view 
of entitling themselves to a participation in the 
charity/'— XXXII. pt. ii. p. 175. 



CHARITY TO ENCOURAGE MARRIAGES. 

Harrow, Middlesex. 

Amongst the orders, statutes, and rules, made 
and set forth by John Lyon, founder of the free 
grammar school in Harrow upon the Hill, there is 
a clause whereby, after specifying various pay- 
ments to be made out of the charity estates, it is 
directed, that if there should be any overplus the 



1?8 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

same should be " safely kept in stock towards ne- 
cessary charge, and part thereof, to be given and 
bestowed for the help and relief of poor marriages, 
and other such good and charitable purposes 
within the said parish of Harrow, at the discre- 
tion of the keepers and governors of the lands, te- 
nements, goods, and possessions of the said gram- 
mar school." 

The commissioners report that for the (then) 
last five years, owing to expenses which had been 
incurred, especially in a law suit in which the go- 
vernors had been engaged, there had been in fact 
no surplus. Notwithstanding that, however, se- 
veral sums had been annually applied in marriage 
portions of £3 to such as have been thought de- 
serving. It was expected that the debt incurred 
on account of the school would be discharged in 
the year 1823, and that then it was the intention 
of the governors to apply a larger portion of the 
surplus to such charitable purposes as were di- 
rected by the donor. — IX. p. 261. 



BEQUEST TO PAY MARRIAGE FEES. 

Winkfield, Berks. 
Mr. Thomas Hatch, by will dated 3d December 
1778, gave to the churchwardens of Winkfield 
£200 to be laid out in the public funds, the in- 
terest to be applied to the payment of the fees 



BEDFORD — MARRIAGE PORTIONS. l?9 

for such poor persons as are willing to marry, but 
cannot pay the expense. 

After the payment of the marriage fees of such 
couples as claim it, the residue is distributed by 
the churchwardens in small sums of money and 
articles of clothing to such poor persons as they 
may think deserving. 

The capital sum was invested in the purchase 
of £289. 2s. three per cent, consols, and now 
stands in the name of the Accountant General, in 
trust, in the cause Attorney General against 
Hatch.— XXXII. pt. i. p. 205. 



THE BEDFORD CHARITY, FOUNDED PURSUANT TO 
LETTERS PATENT SIXTH EDWARD VI. AND THE 
ACT THIRTY-THIRD GEORGE III. 

Town of Bedford. 

Marriage portion for poor maids, fyc. out of estates 
in Holbom, given by Sir William Harpur. 

By the eleventh rule or section of the Schedule 
annexed to the Act, it was provided and directed : 

" That there should be applied and distributed 
every year, out of the rents and profits of the 
charity estate, the sum of £800 for the marriage 
portions of forty poor maids of the town of Bed- 
ford, of good fame and reputation, in equal 
shares, at the times and in the manner therein- 



180 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

after directed ; and for that purpose the trustees 
should, four times in every year, give three weeks' 
public notice in the town of Bedford, that they 
propose and intend to meet in the Town Hall to 
consider of poor maidens to whom portions should 
be given on their respective marriages, and all 
poor maidens resident in the town of Bedford, of 
the age of sixteen years or upwards, and under 
the age of fifty years, desirous of being candidates 
for such portions (whose fathers not being certifi- 
cated persons from parishes out of the town of 
Bedford, should either have been occupiers of one 
or more house or houses in the said town, for the 
space of ten years next preceding their becoming 
candidates for such portions, or should have been 
born in the town, or should have been occupiers 
of one or more house or houses therein for the 
space of three years next preceding their becom- 
ing candidates) should be at liberty to send to the 
mayor of the town, or to the churchwardens of 
the parish wherein they should then respectively 
reside, an account in writing of their Christian 
and surnames, their ages, the places of their 
births, and the names of their parents, and that 
all such poor maidens, not being of bad fame and 
reputation, who should have given in such ac- 
count as aforesaid one week at the least before 
the several times aftermentioned, should be per- 
mitted to draw lots on the Monday next after 



BEDFORD MARRIAGE PORTIONS. 181 

Easter Day, on the second Monday after Mid- 
summer Day, on the second Monday after Mi- 
chaelmas Day, and on the Monday next after 
Christmas Day in every year, for ten sums of 
£20 on every of the same days, and that each 
of the ten poor maidens, qualified as aforesaid, 
who should draw the ten beneficial lots on each 
of the said several days, should be entitled to re- 
ceive, upon the day of her marriage, the sum of 
£20 for her portion, provided she should marry 
within the space of two calendar months from 
the time of drawing such beneficial lot, and pro- 
vided she should not marry a vagrant, or other 
person of bad fame or reputation, but not other- 



Rule or section twelve. " That the poor maid- 
ens of the age mentioned in the preceding order, 
and being daughters of persons of the descrip- 
tion mentioned in the same order, who should 
have gone apprentices or to service out of the 
town of Bedford, and thereby gained settlements 
in their own rights, should be at liberty to become 
candidates for such marriage portions as aforesaid, 
in the same manner as if they had been resident 
in the same town, and that all such poor maidens 
as should not draw beneficial lots at one time 
should, if not married in the interim, be admitted 
to draw lots again at any future time." 



182 REMARKABLE CHARITIES* 

Rule or section thirteen. u That the several 
maidens who should have been admitted to draw- 
lots for marriage portions as aforesaid, and 
should not have drawn beneficial lots, should, at 
the next meeting of the trustees for the purpose 
of giving portions to poor maidens, be entitled, if 
then married, to the like sums of £20 each for 
their respective portions in preference to any- 
other poor maidens who should then be candi- 
dates for such portions, provided they should not 
have married vagrants or other persons of bad 
fame or reputation/' 

Rule or section fourteen. " That if any part 
of the said yearly sum of £800 for the marriage 
of poor maidens should, upon the second Monday 
after Michaelmas Day 1793, or on the second 
Monday after Michaelmas Day 1794, remain un- 
applied, such residue should be distributed 
amongst such poor maid servants, and in such 
manner as therein mentioned." 

Town of Bedford. 
Charity by Sir William Harpur for apprenticing 

poor Children. 
By the sixteenth rule or section of the Sche- 
dule of the Act 33d Geo. III. before referred to, 
it is ordered, 

" That the sum of £700, farther part of the 



BEDFORD— APPRENTICING CHILDREN. 

rents and profits of the charity estate, should 
yearly, by two half-yearly sums of £350, be ap- 
plied in placing out twenty poor children appren- 
tices every half year : viz. fifteen boys, not under 
the age of thirteen, nor above the age of fifteen 
years, and five girls not under the age of twelve, 
nor above the age of fifteen years, whose respec- 
tive fathers, not being certificated persons from 
parishes out of the town of Bedford, should either 
have actually been occupiers of one or more 
house or houses in the town of Bedford, for the 
space of ten years next preceding their children 
being so apprenticed, or have been born in the 
said town and been occupiers of one or more 
house or houses therein for the space of three 
years then next preceding ; and that all such poor 
boys and girls, qualified as aforesaid, whose 
names should have been given in, either to the 
mayor of the town of Bedford or to the church- 
wardens for the time being of the parish in which 
their fathers should respectively reside, one calen- 
dar month before the respective times of draw- 
ing lots aftermentioned, should be permitted to 
draw lots on the second Tuesday after Michaelmas 
Day and the second Tuesday after Lady Day in 
every year, and that the sum of £20 should be 
paid as the apprentice fee with each of the fifteen 
boys, and £10 as the apprentice fee with each of 
the five girls who should, on the several days 



184 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

aforesaid draw the beneficial lots, upon their 
being respectively put out apprentices within the 
space of two calendar months after they should 
have drawn such beneficial lots, to masters and 
mistresses of good character and responsibility, 
to be approved of by the trustees assembled at a 
general meeting, or the major part of them, 
and that the boys should be bound for seven 
years, and the girls for five years, and that the 
girls should be apprenticed to such trades or oc- 
cupations only as women follow (lace-making ex- 
cepted) ; and if upon any of the aforesaid days for 
drawing lots, the full number of fifteen boys, qua- 
lified as aforesaid, should not become candidates, 
then an additional number of beneficial lots 
should be drawn for by the girls who should offer 
themselves as candidates, so that twenty benefi- 
cial lots might be drawn for every half year; and 
that the several indentures by which such chil- 
dren as aforesaid should be bound apprentices, 
should be freed from the stamp duty, in the same 
manner as all indentures of apprenticeship where 
apprentices are put out by charity/* 

Rule or section seventeen. "That in case any 
of the poor children who should draw beneficial 
lots as aforesaid, should die or be otherwise dis- 
posed of, or not be put out apprentice within the 
space of six calendar months from the time of his 



BEDFORD APPRENTICING CHILDREN. 185 

her or their drawing such beneficial lots respec- 
tively (unless the same should happen by default 
of the trustees, or be prevented by some inevitable 
accident), the money intended for such child or 
children respectively, should be drawn for again 
at some of the subsequent days appointed for 
drawing lots, and be applied for the benefit of 
such child or children as should become entitled 
thereto by drawing a beneficial lot/' 

Rule or section eighteen. ei That such of the 
poor boys qualified as aforesaid, who should upon 
any of the said days mentioned in the sixteenth 
order, have drawn the unsuccessful lots, should 
have the preference at the next succeeding day or 
days appointed for drawing lots for the appren- 
ticing money, and should be entitled to the sum 
of £20, to be paid upon their being respectively 
put out apprentice, in preference to those boys 
who should afterwards apply/ 5 

Rule or section nineteen. "That every boy 
and girl put out apprentice as aforesaid, who 
should actually serve the full term of his or her 
apprenticeship, and in all respects comply with 
the tenor of his or her respective indentures of 
apprenticeship, should, on producing to the trus- 
tees assembled at a general meeting, within three 
calendar months after the expiration of their re- 



180 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

spective apprenticeships, a certificate signed by 
their respective masters or mistresses, and by the 
minister and churchwardens of the parish where 
they should have respectively served their ap- 
prenticeship, testifying such actual service and 
compliance with the tenor of their indentures, as 
well as their good morals and behaviour respec- 
tively, or on producing such other proof thereof 
as the trustees so assembled, or the major part of 
them, should require, but not otherwise, be en- 
titled to receive such sum of money, not exceed- 
ing £20 nor less than £10 each, as the trustees 
so assembled, or the major part of them, should 
judge proper and expedient." 

With regard to the observance of the directions 
set forth in the Schedule quoted, the commission- 
ers' report that the sum of £800 is applied in pay- 
ing marriage portions for poor maidens, under the 
authority of the eleventh rule. That the trustees 
adhere to the mode of proceeding prescribed by 
the rule. They make inquiry, as far as they can, 
into the character and situation in life of the per- 
sons to whom the maidens are to be married, be- 
fore they agree to advance the portions ; and the 
portions are refused where the characters of the 
parties are not satisfactory. 

That the sum of £700 a-year is applied as di- 
rected by the sixteenth rule, in apprenticing chil- 



BEDFORD — MARRIAGE PORTIONS. 187 

dren, selected in the manner appointed by the 
sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth rules, but 
with a preference to the children in the hospital 
of the charity. 

It is found very difficult to obtain proper mas- 
ters or mistresses for the girls at so small a pre- 
mium as £10. Half of the premium only is paid 
at first with each apprentice, and the remainder 
after half of the term of the apprenticeship has 
been served. 

The fund annually applied as benefactions to 
children at the expiration of the term of their ap- 
prenticeship, under the nineteenth rule, usually 
amounts to about £200. The sum of £10 only 
is generally allowed to each young person, and 
before the money is advanced, the trustees require 
the certificate mentioned in the nineteenth rule* 
and also make inquiry of the masters or mistresses 
of the apprentices respecting their conduct and 
behaviour. 

With reference to the gifts to poor girls on 
going to service, it appears that the sum of £100 
is appropriated to making donations of £3. to 
each of twenty poor girls in service ; and of £2 
each to the same girls on completing one year of 
such service, and producing certificates of good 
conduct, according to the thirty-second rule. The 
girls receiving such donations are those who have 
not drawn the beneficial lots for apprentice fees, 



188 REMARKABLE CHARITES. 

or having drawn such, cannot for any reason be 
apprenticed. The trustees, to guard against the 
donations being received by girls not going out to 
service, do not advance the money until the girls 
have been six months in place. 

It appeared that the revenue of this Charity, 
in 1819, amounted to £6815.— VI. p. 11—668. 



A PARTICULAR INSTANCE OF ATTACHMENT TO 
A FAMILY NAME. 

London, 

John Nicholson, of London, stationer, by will 
28th April 1717? after bequeathing several specific 
legacies, gave all the residue of his estate in cha- 
rity, towards the support and maintenance of 
such poor persons of the kingdom of England as 
should appear to be of the name of Nicholson, 
being Protestants. And he directed that it should 
be disposed of in the following manner, namely : 

One hundred pounds a-year to two such poor 
persons, men or women, of the name of Nicholson, 
towards their advancement in marriage ; to each 
of them £50; always observing that no more 
than £50 be given to any one couple so marrying. 

One hundred pounds per annum towards 
putting apprentice such poor boys and girls of the 
name of Nicholson, or towards setting them up, as 
his trustees should think fit. 



ATTACHMENT TO A FAMILY NAME. 189 

And £100 per annum towards the support and 
maintenance of such poor men and women of the 
name of Nicholson, as his trustees should direct ; 
always observing that not more than £10 a-year, 
and not less than £5 a-year, should be given to 
any one person; the said sums to be paid to 
them at their own habitations. 
s~ He appointed William Nicolson, Lord Bishop 
of Carlisle ; Mr. Nicolson, the bishop's son ; and 
three other persons of the name of Nicholson, two 
of whom were resident in London, trustees ; and 
left to them the entire management of this Cha- 
rity, and appointed them his executors. 

The commissioners reported that in 1822, the 
property then belonging to this Charity consisted 
of £9273 5s. 3d. stock, producing a dividend of 
£278 4s. 

With respect to the application of the Charity, 
each of the five trustees has the distribution of a 
fifth part of the income in his turn. 

One hundred pounds is disposed of yearly to 
twenty pensioners of £5 a-year each, which is paid 
half yearly, each trustee having a list of four pen- 
sioners, which he fills up as vacancies occur. The 
further sum of £100 is disposed of in apprentice 
fees, each trustee having the appointment annually 
of two of £10 each, or one of £20. The further 
sum of £50 is given annually as a marriage por- 



190 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

tion. And all these benefactions are confined to 
the name of Nicholson. 

In 1822 the trustees were Mr. Rowland Nichol- 
son, of Penrith ; Mr. James Robison, St. Mary 
Axe, London ; Mr. Isaac Nicholson, Lorton, near 
Cockermouth; Mr. Thomas Nicholson, White- 
haven; Mr. William Nicholson, Carlisle. — VII. 
p. 781. 



BEQUEST TO ENCOURAGE MATRIMONY AND 
HORSE RACING. 

Newmarket, All Saints. 

By a deed poll, dated 12th August 1801, exe- 
cuted in pursuance of a decree in Chancery, rela- 
tive to the will of John Perram, dated 30th May 
1772, the trustees of a sum of £410. 6s. 2d. three 
per cent, consols, and £21 bank long annuities, 
being the original sum given by the will, together 
with such accumulations thereon which had ac- 
crued during the proceedings in Chancery, were 
declared ; to hold them upon trust, six weeks at 
least before Easter, to cause notice to be given as 
therein directed, that a marriage portion of £21 
would be given to a parishioner of the said parish, 
who should, on Thursday in the Easter week, be 
married at the church to a woman belonging to it ; 
neither party to be under twenty, nor to exceed 



MARRIAGE PORTION. 191 

twenty-five years of age, nor be worth £20 ; the 
trustees to attend in the vestry to receive claims, 
and pay the bequest to such couple as should be 
qualified to receive it. In case of two claims the 
determination to be by ballot who should receive 
it. In case of no claimants then the money, for 
that year only, to be paid by the trustees to the 
winner of the next town plate. 

Notice is annually given in sufficient time to 
allow the publication of banns before Easter week. 

The money had not been claimed above twenty 
times in the last thirty years up to 1837. When 
claimed the whole dividend is paid to the parties 
entitled; when unclaimed it is carried to the 
racing fund.— XXXI. p. 98. 



MARRIAGE PORTION FOR A POOR MAIDEN. 

Northampton. 

Thomas Craswell, in 1 606, bequeathed £50, the 
interest thereof to be given yearly towards the pre- 
ferment of a poor maid of Northampton in mar- 
riage. 

It is supposed that the legacy was paid to the 
corporation, £3 a- year being annually allowed out 
of their revenues to the mayor for the time being, 
for the benefit of a poor maid of the town. The 
mayor pays the money to some poor servant 



192 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

maid;, chosen by himself; but it is not required 
that she should be under contract of marriage.— 
XIV. p. 262. 



BEQUEST TO ENCOURAGE MATRIMONY AND PROVI- 
DENT HABITS. 

Ottery St. Mary, Devonshire. 

Thomas Axe, of Orchard, in the county of So- 
merset, by will, dated 20th July 1691, gave to 
trustees and their heirs, all his houses in South- 
ward or elsewhere, after certain devises to the 
governors of Ottery St. Mary, upon trust, yearly, 
about St. Thomases Day, to distribute the same 
as follows, viz. 

One part to such person of skill in surgery and 
physic, either man or woman, of exemplary life (at 
least to supply a present necessity until better 
advice can be had), to buy drugs and plasters. 
One part to the vicar, one part to the minister, 
one part to the grammar schoolmaster, one part 
to the parish clerk of Ottery St. Mary; and as a 
fund to encourage steadiness, sobriety, and indus- 
try, three of those parts were to be as a stock, 
out of which should be paid the sum of £S upon 
the marriage-day of any young man or woman 
that should not marry till after the age of twenty- 
one years; and that should have lived in one 
service in the said parish of Ottery St. Mary, for 



MARRIAGE PORTIONS. 193 

seven years ; and should not have had any alms 
of the parish within five years next before such 
marriage ; and after that there should be paid to 
such couple, or the survivor of them, twenty shil- 
lings by the year for three years, if they could 
prove that in each of the said years they had, 
bond fide, increased their stock in the past year 
£3. And at the end of five years next after such 
marriage, upon their making it appear that they 
had really gotten, and should have then of 
clear stock £15, and had not been charge- 
able to the parish since their marriage, there 
should be paid to such a couple, or the survivor of 
them, £5 more ; two parts were to be yearly dis- 
tributed about St. Thomas's day, among elderly 
and sober housekeepers, that had lived well, and 
had received no alms of the parish within five 
years, none to have less than twenty shillings 
( <e the less they need it the better they would be 
able to give an alms to such as are in want") ; 
and the other two parts to be as a fund to lend 
to such poor men to supply their stocks as had 
not had alms of the parish for five years, but were 
industrious and sober. In the choice of objects 
for any of these three last sort of charities, 
the next of kin of the testator were to have a 
voice ; and if any of them should desire it, he 
directed that they should be, in the first place, pre- 
ferred, if qualified as they ought ; in the next 



194 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

place, such as should have been born in the pa- 
rish of Ottery St. Mary; next, such whose em- 
ployment should be husbandry; next, such as 
should be employed in the linen or woollen manu- 
facture; next, artificers and handicraftsmen; and, 
lastly, shopkeepers. 

The property of the charity consists of houses 
in Southwark and stock, the income arising from 
which in 1818, amounted to the sum of £100 185. 
4d. (after allowing deduction for insurance, &c), 
which was divided into twelve parts, viz. 
One-twelfth part to the vicar . . ; 
One-twelfth to the vicar's wife, to buy 

drugs, &c. for the poor . 
One-twelfth to the chaplain-priest 
One-twelfth to the schoolmaster 
One-twelfth to the parish clerk 
Three-twelfths to the fund for mar- 
riage portions to servants entitled 25 4 7 
And the remaining four- twelfths dis- 
tributed to the poor of Ottery by 
the governors . . . . 33 12 9| 

cflOO 18 4 



8 


8 


n 


8 


8 


2i 


8 


8 


2i 


8 


8 


H 


8 


8 


2J 



The vicar's wife disposes of the share she re- 
ceives in providing wine and cordials for thejiick 
and aged persons of the parish ; which mode she 
considers as more beneficial to them than laying it 
out in medicines for their use, there being a medi- 



MARRIAGE PORTIONS. 195 

cal person employed by the parish, who receives 
an annual salary for attending the poor. 

The sum of £S is given to each person who 
shall have been married after twenty-one, having 
lived seven years in one service in the parish, and 
not having received any alms within five years of 
the marriage ; the money is paid as soon as these 
qualifications are made to appear to the trustees ; 
and twenty shillings a-year are paid to the mar- 
ried couple, or the survivor of them, for three 
years, if they can prove, that in each of those 
years they have improved their stock to the 
amount of £3, of which the trustees are satisfied 
on their showing that they have been careful and 
provident in their circumstances to that amount. 

It is stated that many claims have been made 
and granted for the gift of £5, after a lapse of five 
years from their marriage, by persons who have 
received the former gifts ; the trustees having first 
ascertained, as well as they were able, that the 
claimants were qualified. 

It has long ceased to be the practice to lend any 
portion of the fund to poor men ; and the Com- 
missioners were told, that such loans were for- 
merly made, but seldom repaid. — III. p. 107. 

The same donor also beqeathed property at 
Blandford, Dorset, producing an annual rent of 
£55 2s., of which he directed nine-twelfths to be 
paid to the parish clerk of Ottery St. Mary for the 

K 2 



196 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

time being, so long as he should perform his duty 
in the church as he ought to do, and should be an 
example of good life to the parishioners, and 
should not sell ale, &c for a livelihood, nor fre- 
quent alehouses. The other three parts to some 
man or woman of exemplary life, and indifferent 
skill in physic and surgery, that should industri- 
ously endeavour to help all the poor of the parish 
of Ottery St. Mary, gratis, &c — III. p. 108. 



MARRIAGE ENCOURAGED. 

St. Margaret^ Westminster, 

Edward Dickenson, Esq. by will, dated 8th 
May, 1781, directed his executors to invest so 
much money, part of his personal estate, in Bank 
three per cent, consolidated annuities, as would 
purchase 5000Z. capital stock, in the names of the 
rectors or vicars incumbent of the parishes of St. 
Margaret, Westminster ; Acton, Middlesex ; and 
St. John the Evangelist, Westminster \ in trust, 
to divide within one month next after Easter day, 
yearly, one year's interest or dividends of the 
said stock (after deducting thereout so much, not 
exceeding one tenth part thereof, as should be 
necessary for defraying the expenses of the trust), 
into three equal parts, and pay one-third thereof 
amongst such three couples who should within 
the past year have been married in the parish 



MARRIAGE PORTIONS. 197 

church of St. Margaret, Westminster, (at the dis- 
cretion of the trustees,) to labouring, industrious, 
honest, and sober persons, thought worthy to 
receive the same, towards providing them with 
necessaries ; and to dispose of the other two third 
parts respectively in like manner to three couples 
who should have been married in each of the 
parishes of Acton and St. John the Evangelist, 
Westminster ; such distribution to be made with 
the approbation of the Bishop of London for the 
time being. 

Petitions for this charity are taken into consi- 
deration by the trustees on the Wednesday in 
Easter week, and they decide upon the nine 
couples who shall receive the bounty, and a check 
on the banker for 15/. is given to each husband. 
— X. p. 303. 



MARRIAGE PORTIONS FOR YOUNG WOMEN. 

Wilton with Ditchampton, Wilts. 

Richard Sumption, of the parish of St. Clement 
Danes, London, Esq. by his will, dated 4th Feb- 
ruary, 1775, amongst other bequests to the town 
of Wilton, gave 1000/. three per cent, consols, on 
trust to be paid, by the trustees of the school at 
Wilton, or their steward, as marriage portions to 
such poor young women, natives of and resident 
in the town of Wilton, as the governors of the 



198 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

school, or the majority of them, should think 
deserving, not exceeding the sum of 10/. to each, 
to be paid on or as soon after their marriages as 
might be. 

30/. a-year has been regularly applied for the 
above purpose, in sums never exceeding 10/., and 
seldom less than 61. to each. Before the selection, 
notice is published in the church, and a list is 
kept of all the young women who have been por- 
tioned.— XXVI. p. 499. 



EXTENSIVE AND PROSPECTIVE BEQUEST. 

Langton, Leicestershire. 
The Rev. William Hanbury, rector of Church 
Langton, by indenture, dated 14th March, 1767* 
laid the foundation of some extensive and unusual 
charities, for the benefit and improvement of this 
parish. As, however, the whole concern is to 
undergo the review of the Court of Chancery, 
it will suffice in this place to notice the outline 
only, of the Rev. founder's views. 

To establish schools for ever. 

The founding &c. an organ for ever. 

Provide beef for Church Langton poor. 

Beef for ever. 

Provide for a public library. 

Provide for a picture gallery. 

Provide a printing office. 



EXTENSIVE AND PROSPECTIVE BEQUEST. 199 

Provide an hospital at Church Langton. 
Establish professorships of Grammar, 
Music, Botany, Mathematics, Antiquity, 
and of Poetry. 

In the final or explanatory deed, it was wit- 
nessed that the trustees named by the founder, 
were to defer building of lodgings, &c. for the 
respective professors, &c. when the income was 
sufficient for their salaries, but to keep it accumu- 
lating until it should bring in £10,000 a year, at 
the rate of 4 per cent. 

At a certain period, a grand and stately church 
should be built at Church Langton, with proper 
stalls for the trustees, professors, &c. as grand an 
organ as could be made, a peal of 12 bells at 
the least, with chimes, chandeliers, ornaments, 
painted windows, table and altar piece of the 
finest marble, paintings by the best master then 
living, &c. The church was to be gothic, built 
as much like a Cathedral as possible. No less 
than three steeples, the tallest of which should 
be not less than one hundred yards high, and 
every becoming dignity and ornament added. 

£100,000 were to be expended on this fabric ; 
and, that completed, another should be built, 
which should be named the Temple of Religion 
and Virtue. A noble museum was to be erected. 
These being effected, proper lodgings, &c. for 
the professors, schools, hospital, printing office, &c. 



200 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

were to be finished, and the founder was desirous 
if it could be contrived to make the whole of 
these buildings form a square of two hundred 
yards on each side, &c. 

The details of Mr. Hanbury's various endow- 
ments must be exceedingly long, as the mere 
abridgment of them occupies twenty-seven folio 
pages of the Commissioners' report, to which the 
curious reader is referred for further informa- 
tion.*— XXXII. pt. V. pp. 246, 273. 



A TASK. 

Shere, Surrey. 
Thomas Gatton, by will, 2nd May 1758, gave 
£400 to be secured to the parish of Shere, the 
interest thereof to be for the teaching such a 
number of poor children, as the rector and 
churchwardens should think proper, to read and 
write, the rector or curate to have one guinea per 
year, to catechise them, and to make a sermon 
once a year, the text to be taken out of one of 
the chapters they were to learn by heart. The 
chapters were, 1st of Proverbs, the 11th and 12th 
of Ecclesiastes, the 15th Psalm, the 13th of the 

* Reference also should be had to Mr. Hanbury's 
own account of his intended Charities, as given in " The 
History of the Rise and Progress of the Charitable 
Foundations at Church Langton, 1767," 8vo. ; a full 
abridgment of which work is given in Nichols's History 
of Leicestershire, II. 685. 



BEQUEST TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING. 201 

1st of Corinthians, and the 6th chapter of the 
Ephesians. 

Thirty poor children appointed by the rector 
and churchwardens, are taught to read by three 
schoolmistresses, who receive 10s. per annum, 
for each child. -XIII. p. 463. 



BEQUEST OF A BIBLE TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING. 

Rothley, Leicestershire, 

The table of benefactions records, that John 
Willowes gave 5s. yearly, to buy a Bible, to be 
given on Whit-sunday, to any boy who can read 
the first chapter of Saint John's Gospel, the most 
distinctly. 

The 5s. has always been considered a charge on 
certain estates in the parish, in the possession 
of Thomas Babington, Esq., who supports a 
Sunday school at his sole expence, and who 
annually gives amongst the children attending 
it, five or six bibles. In that number, the bible 
bequeathed by Mr. Willowes is supposed to be 
included.— XXXII. pt. V. p. 413. 



EARLY RISING. 

Huntingdon St. Johns, and All Saints. 
A tenement, and two closes of land, in Little 

Stukeley, containing 3a. 3r. 14p., it is understood 

k 3 



202 REMARKABLE CHARITIES* 

were given to provide for the tolling All Saints' 
church bell, every morning at four o'clock. The 
practice has of late years been discontinued. 
The rent, £10 a year, is applied in payment of 
two guineas a year to the sexton, and towards 
defraying the expenses incidental to the office of 
churchwarden. — XXIV. p. 26. 



EARLY RISING, THOUGHTS OF DEATH AND RESUR- 
RECTION, ENJOINED BY THE RINGING A MORNING 
AND EVENING BELL. 

Wokingham, Berks. 

Richard Palmer, by indenture, dated April 
1 664, gave lands in trust to pay and employ all 
the rents and profits of the same as and for a 
salary to the sexton of the parish church of 
Wokingham, to ring out the greatest bell belong- 
ing to the parish church there half an hour every 
evening at eight o'clock, and every morning at 
four o'clock, or as near to those hours as might 
be, from the 10th of September to the 11th of 
March in every year, for ever, which mode of 
ringing of such bell the said Richard Palmer had 
propounded to himself to cause to be done not 
only that as many as might live within the sound 
might be thereby induced to a timely going to 
rest in the evening, and early arising in the morn- 



EARLY RISING, &C. 203 

ing to the labours and duties of their several 
callings (things ordinarily attended and rewarded 
with thrift and proficiency), and that strangers 
and others who should happen in winter nights, 
within hearing of the ringing of the said bell, to 
lose their way in the country, might be informed 
of the time of night, and receive some guidance 
into their right way ; and for which rational ends 
he conceived his said work could not but be well 
liked by any discreet person, the same being done 
and well approved of in most of the cities and 
market towns, and many other places in the king- 
dom ; but also to the better end aimed at by him, 
that all those whose care of being mindful of their 
latter end should incline them thereunto, might 
thereby take occasion, at the ringing of the even- 
ing bell, to think of their own passing bell and 
day of death ; and at the ringing of the said morn- 
ing bell, might also think of their resurrection, 
and call to their last judgment ; which things do- 
ing he believed no man, unless very much har- 
dened, could at the same time wilfully and reso- 
lutely propound to himself the leading of a wicked 
life, but rather be deterred and taken from it ; 
and upon further trust, that if it should happen 
that the ringing of the said bell should be hin- 
dered or wilfully neglected, the rents and profits 
of the said land should be paid to his heirs during 
the time of any such hinderance or neglect. 



204 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

The sum of £2 a year is paid to the sexton by 
the Palmer family, and the bell is regularly rung 
every evening at eighty and every morning at four, 
from 10th September to 10th March yearly. — 
XXXII. pt. i. p. 224. 



PROPAGATION OF RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE. 

Wharton's Charity. 

Philip Lord Wharton, by indenture, 1 2th July 
1692, conveyed premises in the city of York to 
Sir Edward Harley and others upon trust, that 
the rents and profits should be employed for the 
buying of English Bibles and Catechisms to be 
distributed yearly to and amongst poor children 
who can read. And by further instructions in 
writing, dated 24th April 1693, he ordered that 
1050 Bibles, with the Singing Psalms bound up 
therewith, should be yearly provided, of the Eng- 
lish translation, published by authority, in a large 
duodecimo ; each Bible not exceeding 2s. 6d. in 
price, or as near thereabouts as could be bought. 
That the like number of Catechisms should be 
yearly provided. That an inscription by a stamp 
should be on the outside cover of each book, 
with these words : 

« By the will of Philip Lord Wharton." 
That there should be a printed paper pasted in- 



PROPAGATION OF RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE. 205 

side the Bibles, to this effect : " These reading 
Psalms in the English translation in the Bible, 
are to be learnt without book by the child to 
whom this book is given, namely, 1st, 15th, 25th, 
37th, 101st, 113th, 145th/' 

He also ordered that sermons should be 
preached at York, and twenty-six other places, 
allowing 10s. for each, the purport, design, and 
scope of every sermon to be to discover and 
prove to the people the truth, usefulness, suffi- 
ciency, and excellency of the Holy Scriptures, and 
the people's right to have them fully in their own 
language, and also their duty to read, study, and 
search the Scriptures, and take them for their 
only unerring rule of faith, worship, and manners ; 
and no mention to be made of the donor, either 
in the sermon or prayers. 

In the year 1819, the expenditure amounted to 
£616. 175. 2d.— IV. p. 467. 



A RELIGIOUS TASK. 

Newark, Nottinghamshire. 

Dr. Thomas White, Bishop of Peterborough, 
by his will, bearing date in 1690, gave to the poor 
of the parish of Newark £240, to be laid out in 
land, £10 of which rent he allotted to the poor 
yearly for ever, and the surplusage, whatever it 
should be, to the rector, as a reward for his pains 



206 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

and fidelity in the distribution of the said £10 to 
the poor ; and he directed that the distribution 
should be made yearly by the rector in the church 
porch in the presence of the churchwardens or 
overseers, in the following manner, viz. that it 
should be distributed the 14th December to 
twenty poor families, or persons of forty years 
old each, by equal shares, reckoning husband and 
wife for one person, who should, before the receipt 
thereof, exactly and distinctly repeat the Lord's 
Prayer, the Apostles' Creed, and the Ten Com- 
mandments, without missing or changing one word 
therein. And if any man and wife should appear 
for a share in the said charity, it should not be a 
sufficient qualification for them that one of them 
made the exact rehearsal, but they should both 
make it, or else have no share at all in it. He 
also directed that no one should receive his cha- 
rity twice, till all the poor of the parish should 
have received it once who should make the repe- 
tition aforesaid, that the advantage might spread 
as far as possible.* And he further directed, that 
this part of his will should be transcribed and 

* Bishop White left the like bequest to the parish of 
Bottesford in Leicestershire, with the same directions. 
Land was purchased, which is now let at 39/. a-year ; 
and after paying 10/. to the churchwarden, who dis- 
tributes it according to the directions of the will, the 
Rector retains the surplus himself. — XXXII. pt. V, 
p. 433. 



PEACE OFFERING. 207 

locked up in the parish chest; and yearly, on 
the last Sunday in November, after morning ser- 
vice, the rector should read this part of it to the 
poor and the inhabitants, in the parish church. 

This sum was invested in the purchase of 
lands now held by the corporation. The rent is 
received by the chamberlain, and carried to the 
general account, out of which there is annually 
paid to the vicar, in respect of Bishop White's 
charity, the sum of £12. ; two pounds whereof he 
retains to his own use, and the remaining £10 he 
divides between twenty poor families, agreeable 
to the directions of the will. These persons are 
selected by the vicar, who previously ascertains 
that they are able to repeat the apostles' Creed, 
the Lord's prayer, and the ten Commandments. — 
XXI. p. 366. 



PEACE OFFERING. 

Hentland, Herefordshire. 

It is recorded on a tablet in the church, that a 
peace gift of five shillings per annum was issuable 
out of Baysham Court Farm, in the parish of 
Sellack, to be distributed on Palm Sunday, for 
ever. 

This farm is the property of Mr. Edward Jones, 
who regularly pays the rent charge. The money 
is laid out in the purchase of plain bread cakes, 



208 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

which are distributed by the churchwardens at 
the church on Palm Sunday, amongst all the con- 
gregation indiscriminately. 

The origin of this charity could not be ascer- 
tained by the Commissioners. — XXXII. pt. ii. 
p. 320. 

CLOCK LAND. 

Haslingfield, Cam bridgeshire. 
The rents of a small piece of land containing 
1a. Or. 20 p. called the Clock Holt, have been 
applied from time immemorial for the winding up 
and repairs of the church clock. It is let at 
£l. 12s. Qd. per annum. The donor is wholly 
unknown, and no documents whatever were pro- 
duced to the Commissioners relating to it. — 
XXXI. p. 195. 



ENCOURAGEMENT TO LEARN THE CATECHISM. 

Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire. 
Robert Barber, by will, dated 21st June 1818, 
gave unto the minister of Haslingfield and the 
tenant of the farm, in which Mr. Wallace then 
lived, £20 in trust, to be placed out at interest, 
upon good security, and the interest thereof to be 
by them given every year after his decease unto 
that child under the age of thirteen years, who 
I should most perfectly repeat the Catechism on 
Christmas day. He died about the year 1825. — 
XXXI. p. 195. 



PATERNOSTER PENNY. 209 

RELIGIOUS TASK. 

Farnsfield, Nottinghamshire. 

Samuel Higgs, by his will, bearing date 1 1th 
May 1820 (as appears from the church tablet) 
gave £50 to the vicar and churchwardens of this 
parish, and directed that the interest should be 
given every year on 21st December, in equal pro- 
portions, to ten poor men and women who could 
repeat the Lord's prayer, the creed, and the ten 
commandments, before the vicar or such other 
person as he should appoint to hear them. 

The interest is applied according to the donor's 
orders, and the poor persons appointed to partake 
of the charity continue to receive it during their 
lives.— XX. p. 532. 



PATERNOSTER PENNY. 

Coleshill. 
Ann Digby, by deed, dated 30 November 1520, 
granted to certain persons lands and premises in 
trust ; out of the rents of the said premises they 
should every day in the year pay within the pa- 
rish church of Coleshill, immediately after the 
saying of the high mass there, to a boy or girl 
dwelling within the said parish, and under the 
age of nine years, that could and would kneel at 
the altar, and say five paternosters, five aves, and 



210 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

a credo for the souls of her husband, of herself, 
and of their children, and of all Christian souls, a 
penny of silver sterling to the child for the time 
doing the said prayers, and which daily penny she 
desired to be distributed among the children in- 
habiting the parish in manner following : that the 
said daily penny should not be given to any but 
the children of householders and inhabitants in 
the said parish, and not dwelling out of the same. 
To exclude division among the said householders, 
she directed that the persons in trust should be- 
gin the distribution in the house next adjoining 
the church, and afterwards in the house next to 
the church after it, and so on successively for 
ever. 

By an inquisition, taken 18th March 1613, 
under a commission of charitable uses, it was 
found that certain premises in Coleshill, then of 
the clear yearly value of £10, were theretofore 
given by some of the ancestors of Sir Robert 
Digby of Coleshill, knt. to the intent that one 
penny of money, every day for ever, should be 
given of the rents thereof unto young children of 
Coleshill, under the age of nine years, for the 
saying of the Lord's prayer in the church of Coles- 
hill, as it had been theretofore used. 

The commissioners report, that a payment of 
j£3 has been for many years made out of the pro- 
perty, in respect of Alice Digby's gift, or the pa- 



PARTIALITY FOR FAMILY NAME. 211 

ternoster dole, which is paid to the vicar for dis- 
tribution, and is applied by him in rewards of 
small sums to the children of the Sunday School 
who are the best proficients in saying the Church 
Catechism, and also in similar rewards to the 
children of other schools in the town, who can 
say the Catechism.— XXIX. p. 1029. 



PARTIALITY FOR FAMILY NAME. 

London, Drapers Company, 

Henry Dixon, by will, bearing date, 9th No- 
vember, 1693, gave all his lands, &c. to the 
Drapers 5 Company, in trust, amongst other things, 
to apply the rents in and towards placing ap- 
prentices to handicraft trades ; in the first place, 
such poor boys, wheresoever born, as should 
bear his christian and surname, and should be of 
the age of fifteen years or more, £5 for each boy, 
and for the payment of the like sum of £5 to 
every boy so placed out, that should duly serve 
his apprenticeship within a month after he should 
be made free of the City of London, for the better 
enabling him to set up his trade ; and in the next 
place, for placing out in like manner, such poor 
boys wheresoever born, as should bear his 
surname only, and should be of the age of fifteen 
years, paying for each boy £4, and for payment 



212 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

of the like sum of £4 to every such boy that 
should duly serve his apprenticeship, within a 
month after his being made free of the said city 
for the like purpose. — XXXII. pt. ii. p. 428. 



BEQUEST FOR KEEPING THE CHURCH AND CHURCH- 
YARD, IN CLEAN AND DECENT CONDITION. 

Cowley, Middlesex. 

By indenture, enrolled in Chancery, dated 3d 
January, 1761, reciting, that the parish of Cowley 
was very small, and consisted of few inhabitants, 
whereby the salary, fees, and perquisites of the 
parish clerk were very small, and not sufficient 
to satisfy him for the trouble he must, or ought 
necessarily be at, in keeping clean the church 
and churchyard; and reciting that Barnard 
Dagnall, of Cowley, was desirous that the said 
parish church of Cowley, might for ever thereafter 
be kept clean and decent, and that the church- 
yard might also be kept neat and free from weeds, 
filth, dirt, and other annoyances, and was there- 
fore minded to settle and assure the rents, issues 
and profits, of the four acres of land and premises 
thereafter mentioned, in trust for the benefit of 
the parish clerks of the parish church of Cowley 
aforesaid for the time being, the better to en- 
courage, oblige, and enable them for ever there- 



CLEANSING CHURCH AND CHURCHYARD. 213 

after, to perform and do their duty, and keep the 
said church and churchyard clean and free from 
all annoyances, it is witnessed that the said 
Barnard Dagnall sold to Thomas Dagnall, his 
heirs and assigns, four acres of land in the Middle 
Shott, in the common field of Cowley, upon trust 
to pay the rents and profits thereof, to the parish 
clerks of Cowley, so long as they should continue 
doing and performing their duty as parish clerks 
of the said church, in duly attending the service 
of the said church, and keeping the church clean 
from dust and other annoyances, and likewise 
keeping the churchyard of the church, neat and 
free from weeds, filth, dirt, and other annoyances, 
to the content and satisfaction of him, the said 
Thomas Dagnall, his heirs and assigns ; and in 
case the parish clerk, for the time being, should 
not discharge his duty, as regards such required 
cleanliness, &c. it should be lawful for the said 
Thomas Dagnall, his heirs and assigns, to apply 
such rents for the paying any other person who 
should be employed to do the duty or service so 
neglected. 

The land is let at £8. 5s. per annum, and the 
rent is paid to the clerk ; who on account thereof 
tonsiders himself liable to keep the churchyard 
in clean and decent order. — IX. p. 215. 



214 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

ATONEMENT. 

Croydon, Surrey. 

By deed, dated 1st January, 1600, reciting that 
William Tracy, one of the ancestors of Susan 
Barker, had, by way of pleasing his King, rashly 
libelled the life of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop 
of Canterbury, the said Susan Barker, knowing 
the kindness and truly episcopal life of John 
Whitgift, then archbishop, and desiring that it 
should openly appear that her family were never 
ill-disposed to the pontifical dignity, as certain 
evil-disposed persons had published, granted to 
the warden and poor of the hospital of the Holy 
Trinity * and their successors, a yearly rent of 
£6. 13s. 4c?., issuing out of her mansion house, 
called Lancaster College, in St. PauFs Church- 
yard, London, for 1000 years from the day of the 
date thereof, which grant her husband confirmed, 
on condition that the said warden and poor 
should neither sell nor alienate the same ; and 
they gave seizin and possession of the said 
annuity, by the delivery of a golden coin of the 
value of 10s., which coin is still affixed to the said 
deed.— XXXI. p. 875. 

* Founded by Archbishop Whitgift. 



BEQUEST FOR THE SACRAMENT. 215 

BEQUEST OF LAND, TO PROVIDE SACRAMENTAL BREAD 
AND WINE. 

Stanley, Derbyshire. 
An entry in a book belonging to this parish 
without date, but which appears to have been 
written more than 50 years ago, states that three 
roods of land, in Samuel Richardson's Little 
Buttery, abutting toward Clarke's croft, were left 
to buy bread and wine for the Holy Sacrament 
for ever. 

The field called the Little Buttery has under- 
gone some alteration, a great part having been 
taken from it, and an addition made to it. The 
field is now called Samuel's Buttery, and the resi- 
due of it, except the above mentioned three roods, 
is the property of Richard Bateman, Esq. 

From the description given of the three roods 
of land in the parish book, the north-east part of 
Samuel's Buttery is pointed out as the situation 
of them, and it is supposed that they may be worth 
about £] per annum. 

Mr. Bateman's tenant purchases the bread and 
wine, for the Sacrament at Stanley chapel, which 
are estimated to cost annually as much as the fair 
rent of this small plot of land. — XVII. p. 15 L. 



216 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

BEQUEST OF SACRAMENTAL WINE. 

Aber Daron, Caernarvonshire. 

In the returns made to Parliament in 1786, it 
is stated, that a donor unknown gave £l 5s, per 
annum to the poor, supposed to issue from the 
rectory of Aber Daron. 

Twelve bottles of port wine are annually re- 
ceived by the churchwardens from the steward of 
Charles Griffith Wynne, Esq. of Cefn Amlwch, 
proprietor of a moiety of the great tithes of the 
parish of Aber Daron, which it is supposed are 
given in respect of this donation. 

The wine is used for the Sacrament. — XX VI I L 
p. 446. 



STREWING THE CHURCH WITH RUSHES. 

St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol. 

It appears by the charitable donation book, page 
142, that William Spencer, by deed, dated 29th 
November, 1494, devised to feoffees certain pre- 
mises situate on the back of Bristol, then of the 
yearly rent of £4, that they should for ever provide 
three priests to preach the Word of God in the 
parish church of St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, or in 
the churchyard of the said church, before the 
mayor and commonalty of the said town, and 
other devout people thither repairing, at the feast 
of Pentecost, and to pay every of the said priests 



STREWING THE CHURCH WITH RUSHES. 217 

there for preaching 6s. 8d., to the mayor of Bristol, 
for the said preachers' dinner at his table, 3s. Ad 
, each day, to the clerk and sexton for ringing the 
bell, and placing the forms for the mayor and 
common council, \2d. per day; the residue of the 
rent to remain towards the payment of quit rents, 
the reparation of the said premises, and to the 
common profit of the said town. 

These several sums, amounting to £l 13s. Ad. 
are annually applied according to the gift. 

The corporation, on whom the charge has de- 
volved, pay, at Whitsuntide, for preaching three ser- 
mons £l 10s. to the clergyman of Redcliffe parish, 
and for ringing and strewing rushes in the church 
3s. Ad. The mayor, and a part of the corporation, 
go to Redcliffe church on Whitsunday, when the 
church is strewed with rushes. 

These payments appear to have been constantly 
and regularly made; but the corporation books 
afford no information as to the property charged, 
or the manner in which the obligation to perform 
the charity has devolved upon that body. — VIII. 
p. 607. 

STREWING THE CHURCH WITH RUSHES. 

Clee, Lincolnshire. 
The parish possesses a right of cutting rushes 
from a piece of land, the property of Richard Tho- 
rold, Esq. called "Bescars," for the purpose of 

L 



218 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

strewing the floor of the church every Trinity 
Sunday. 

A small quantity of grass is annually cut to 
preserve this right. — XXXII. pt. iv. p. 422. 



RUSHES AND STRAW FOR THE CHURCH. 

Deptford, Kent. 

The table of benefactions states, that a person 
unknown gave half a quarter of wheat, to be 
given in bread every Good Friday, and half a load 
of rushes at Whitsuntide, and a load of pea straw 
at Christmas yearly, for the use of the church. 

By a decree of commissioners for charitable 
uses, dated 4th March, 6th James I. it was decreed, 
that the owners of three parts of land, whereof 
one was called Lady Crofts, should from thence- 
forth for ever deliver and distribute, every Good 
Friday, amongst the poor people of Deptford, all 
the bread which might be made and baked of half 
a quarter of good wheat ; and should likewise yearly 
deliver, at Whitsuntide, half a load of good green 
rushes, and at Christmas one good load of new 
grass straw, in the pews of the church at Deptford. 

The land charged is Brookley farm. 

By an order of vestry, 17 April, 1721, it appears 
that William Wilkinson offered 21s. per annum 
for the time to come, in lieu of pea straw and 
rushes, which offer was accepted, and since the 



RUSHES AND STRAW FOR THE CHURCH. 219 

year 1744, 105. has been received in lieu of the 
half quarter of wheat. The two sums of 21 s. and 
10s. are regularly paid and distributed in bread. 
—XXX. p. 618. 



STREWING THE CHURCH WITH RUSHES. 

Wingrave, Buckinghamshire. 

There is a piece of land, of about three roods 
of meadow, left for the purpose of furnishing 
rushes for the church, on the feast Sunday. 

It is let to Mr. Thomas Cook, at a rent of £l . 
Is. a-year, which is received by the parish clerk, 
who provides grass to strew the church, on the 
village feast day, which is the first Sunday after 
St. Peter's day.— XXVII. p. 108. 



STREWING THE CHURCH WITH NEW HAY. 

Glen/ield, Leicestershire. 

A close, called the Church Acre, was set out, on 
the inclosure of Glenfield, in lieu of lands in the 
open fields, the rent of which has always been 
paid to the clerk of the parish, as a part of his 
salary. The land is situated near the village, and 
is let to Joseph Ellis, for 305. a-year. 

In respect of this land, the clerk is obliged to 
strew the j church with new hay on the first Sun- 
day after the 5th of July, and for this purpose, he 

l2 



220 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

is allowed to take a cut of hay from off the land. 
This practice is understood to be in compliance 
with the will of the donor of the land. — XXXII. 
pt. v. p. 158. 



STREWING THE CHURCH WITH NEW HAY. 

Old Weston, Huntingdonshire. 

A piece of green sward, of about a rood, in the 
open field, belongs by custom to the parish clerk 
for the time being, subject to the condition of the 
land being mown immediately before Weston 
feast, which occurs in July, and the cutting thereof 
being strewed on the church floor, previously to 
divine service on the feast Sunday, and continuing 
there during divine service. — XXIV. p. 57. 



BEQUEST TO AWAKEN SLEEPERS, AND WHIP DOGS 
OUT OF CHURCH. 

Claverley, Shropshire. 
Amongst other directions mentioned in the 
deed of feoffment, 23rd August, 1659, whereby 
Richard Dovey, of Farmcote, granted certain pre- 
mises to John Sanders, and others, viz. cottages 
or buildings, over and adjoining the churchyard and 
churchyard gates of the parish church of Claverley, 
is to place in some room of the said cottages, and 
to pay yearly the sum of 8s. to a poor man of that 



AWAKENING SLEEPERS IN CHURCH. 221 

parish who should undertake to awaken sleepers, 
and to whip out dogs from the church of Claver- 
ley during divine service. 

It appears by the evidence adduced before the 
Commissioners, that the sum of 10s. 6d. per annum 
had been paid for the above purpose for upwards 
of 20 years prior to their inquiry. — IV. p. 24 9. 504. 



" AWAKE, THOU THAT SLEEPEST ! " 

Trysully Staffordshire. 

John Rudge, amongst other charities to this 
parish, gave by will, dated 17th April, 1725., 
20s. a-year, payable at 5s. a quarter, to a poor 
man, to go about the parish church of Trysull, 
during; sermon, to keep people awake, and to keep 
dogs out of the church. 

This sum is paid by Cornelius Cartwright, Esq. 
— V. p. 634. 



CHARITY TO KEEP BOYS QUIET IN CHURCH. 

Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. 
It appears from the benefaction table, that 
Richard Brooke gave 10s. yearly, to be distributed 
to the poor on the day of his death, and 5s. a-year 
to one, to keep boys quiet in the church and church 
yard, in the time of prayer and sermon, to be 
paid out of a piece of land called Mill Hayes, in 



222 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

or near Coven, in the parish of Brewood. The 
Commissioners ascertained that the dole had been 
in arrear from 1812, that Mr. Shenstone, of Stand- 
ford Mills, was in possession of the land called 
Mill Hayes, and that he was ready to pay the 
arrears due, whenever an account should be made 
out by the churchwarden ; and they had since been 
informed^ that he had done so. The origin of 
the rent-charge the Commissioners could not 
discover. — IV. p. 363. 



DOG WHIPPER S LANDS. 

Chislet, Kent. 

Ten shillings a year is paid by the tenant of 
Sir John Bridges, as a charge on lands called 
Dogwhipper's Marsh, containing about two acres, 
to a person for keeping order in the church 
during divine service. — XXX. p. 297. 



BEQUEST FOR KEEPING DOGS OUT OF CHURCH. 

Peterchurch, Herefordshire. 

From time immemorial an acre of land in this 
parish has been appropriated to the use of a 
person for keeping dogs out of the church, such 
person being appointed by the minister and 
churchwardens. 



GRATITUDE FOR BENEFIT OF CURFEW BELL. 223 

An exchange has lately been effected of this 
land for another acre near to it, which is consi- 
dered of a superior quality and more valuable 
than that given in exchange by the parish. — 
XXXILpt. ii. p 30?. 



GRATITUDE FOR BENEFIT OF CURFEW BELL. 

Barton, Lincolnshire. 

Upon the inclosure of this parish, a claim was 
made to the Commissioners by the clerk of the 
parish of St. Peter's, for 13 a. 3 r. open land; 
and in the award there was allotted to the parish 
clerk of Barton, and his successors, 7 a. 2r. 16 p. 
in East Field, in lieu of certain land in the open 
field, &c. 

The common tradition in the parish is, that a 
worthy old lady in ancient times, being accidentally 
benighted on the Wolds, was directed in her 
course by the sound of the evening bell of St. 
Peter's Church, where, after much alarm she 
found herself in safety, and out of gratitude she 
gave this land to the parish clerk, on condition 
that he should ring one of the church bells from 
seven to eight o'clock every evening, except Sun- 
days, commencing on the day of the carrying the 
I first load of barley in every year till Shrove 
Tuesday next ensuing inclusive. 



224 REMARKABLE CHARITIES* 

This duty from time out of mind has been and 
still continues to be performed by the clerk. — 
XXXII. pt. iv. p. 511. 



CURFEW BELL AND CLOCK LAND. 

Cropredy , Oxfordshire. 

By indenture 26th August, 4th Henry VIII. 
(1513), Roger Lupton, vicar of Cropredy, deli- 
vered to the churchwardens of Cropredy and 
Bourton £6. 1 Ss. 4d. for which they covenanted 
for themselves and their successors, to find at 
their own costs some person to keep duly_the 
clock of Cropredy, and to ring daily, both winter 
and summer, the curfew and day bell. 

The property belonging to this charity consists 
of a close in Wardington called the Bell Land, 
containing 14 acres, let at £32 a-year, out of 
which £4. 105. is paid to a person for ringing the 
bell and winding up the clock at Cropredy, in 
equal proportions by each place; the residue is 
applied in each parish in aid of a church rate. — 
XII. p. 187. 



CURFEW BELL. 225 

CURFEW BELL. 

St. Margaret's, Kent. 

On a plat of rising ground 
Hear the far-off curfew sound, 
Over some wide-water'd shore, 
Swinging slow with sullen roar. 

Milton. 

It is stated in an old register, that the parish of 
St. Margaret passed an order in the year 1696, 
to ensure the proper application of the proceeds 
of five roods of pasture land, which had been 
given by a shepherd who fell over the Cliff, for 
ringing a curfew bell at 8 o^clock every night for 
the winter half-year, and which ringing had fallen 
greatly into neglect. 

This land, supposed to be of the annual value 
of about 20s., is occupied by the clerk of the 
parish, who rings the curfew bell at eight o'clock 
every evening during the winter months. — XXX. 
p. 565. 



CURFEW AND DAY BELL. 

Presteign, Radnorshire. 

John Beddoes, by indenture dated 20th April, 

1565, conveyed premises to feoffees in trust, that 

they should (amongst other matters), out of the 

rents, keep and find an able person to ring a bell 



226 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

in the parish church of Presteign, every morning 
for ever, between the feasts of All Saints and the 
Purification of Our Lady, by the space of one 
half hour, which should be called the day bell ; 
and also should nightly for ever ring one other 
peal with the same bell at eight o^clock in the 
afternoon, as well in summer as winter time, by 
the space of one half hour, which should be called 
Curfew ; and that, if the ringing of the said bell 
should be discontinued for one year (unless the 
plague was in the said town of Presteign, or other 
reasonable cause), then the said premises to revert 
to his heirs.— XXXII. pt. iii. p. 461. 



CURFEW BELL. 

Ringwould, Kent. 

There is in this parish half an acre of land 
called " Curfew Land," which has been always 
held by the parish clerk as a remuneration for 
ringing the Curfew bell every evening, from the 
2d of November to 2d February. — XXX. p. 560. 



DING DONG, OR CURFEW BELL LAND. 

West Rasen, Lincolnshire. 
At the inclosure of this parish, the Commis- 
sioners awarded a small allotment, containing 



CURFEW BELL LAND. 227 

1 A. 2 r. to the rector and churchwardens, " upon 
trusty to pay the clear rents and profits thereof to 
some poor parishioner of West Rasen, for ringing 
a bell in the said parish church at a certain hour 
during some part of each and every year for ever." 
This allotment was in lieu of a piece of land 
called "Ding Dong/' which had been in the pos- 
session of the parish from time immemorial ; it is 
believed that it was originally given for the 
purpose of having a bell tolled at night during 
the winter months, but the custom has long been 
discontinued. The land is not let, but is oc- 
cupied by some poor and deserving person ap- 
pointed by the rector and churchwardens. 

The annual value may be about 50s. — XXXII. 
pt. iv. p. 489. 



CUTFEW BELL LAND. 

St. Giles, Norwich. 

In 1474 Walter Geffry gave land in Heigham's 
Fields, upon trust, that the churchwardens of St. 
Giles, Norwich, should every night in the year 
ring a bell of the parish church for a quarter of an 
hour at eight in winter and nine in summer ; and 
in 1816 the same land was conveyed to Cole and 
others, upon trust, with the rents to find a person 
to ring the curfew bell.— XXVII. p. 659. 



228 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

DRESSING A GRAVE WITH FLOWERS. 

Grateley, Hampshire. 

William Benson Earle, Esq. who died in 17^6, 
gave three hundred guineas to the rector, church- 
warden s> and overseers of Grateley, in trust, to 
vest the same in their joint names, and expend 
half the interest thereof at Christmas, and the 
other half at Easter, in the purchase of the best 
ox-beef and cheese, together with potatoes or peas, 
or both, to be distributed in just proportions, at 
their discretion, among the poorest families in that 
parish, but no where else. And he requested that 
one guinea of the annual interest should be given 
yearly to the clerk of the parish, so long as he 
should cleanse and repair with flovjers in the dif- 
ferent seasons, as had before been done, the bed over 
the remains of Dame Joanna Elton, in the church- 
yard of Grateley. The dividends are paid and ap- 
plied according to the donor's order. — XIV. p. 368. 



ROSE TREES IN CHURCH YARD. 

Barnes, Surrey. 
By indentures of lease and release, dated 7th and 
8th of March, 1 790, reciting that Edward Rose by 
will, dated 18th December 1652, directed his body 
to be buried in the church yard of Barnes, and 
bequeathed £5 for making a frame or partition of 



ROSE TREES IN CHURCH YARD. 229 

wood in the churchyard, where he had appointed 
his burying place, and ordered three rose trees or 
more to be set or planted about the place where 
he should be so interred ; and also bequeathed to 
the minister, churchwardens, and overseers of the 
poor of Barnes, for the use of the poor of that pa- 
rish, .£20, to be laid out within three years, in the 
purchase of an acre of land for the use of the poor, 
but willed and directed that out of the rents and 
profits of such land, the minister, churchwardens, 
and overseers for the time being, should cause the 
said frame and partition of wood to be kept in re- 
pair, and the rose trees preserved, or others 
planted in their places, from time to time, as they 
should decay ; and further recited, that an acre of 
land, in the Town Long Croft, had been surrendered 
to trustees, in trust, for the poor of the parish of 
Barnes, pursuant to the will of the said Edward 
Rose and that such piece of land had been ex- 
changed for two acres of land in the common 
close, upon the trusts and for the uses mentioned 
in the will of the said Edward Rose, &c. &c. 

The land taken in exchange was let by the 
churchwardens to Henry Hugh Hoare, Esq. (late 
of Stourhead, Bart.) as yearly tenant, at £8. 10s. 
per annum, the full annual value. 

The rents are laid out in purchasing bread, 
which is distributed to the poor at the church on 
Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday. — X. 
p. 589. 



230 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

TOLERANCE. 

Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. 

William Wilson, by his will, dated 15th April, 
1726, gave the sum of £100 South Sea Stock to 
the Chamber of the Corporation of Tewkesbury, 
upon trust, to permit the high bailiff for the time 
being to receive the dividends thereon, and dis- 
pose of the same, at his discretion, to poor per- 
sons of Tewkesbury, especially to such as should 
be visited with sickness or other calamitous acci- 
dents, without any regard to differences of political 
and religious opinions, the bailiff to account to the 
chamber for the disposal of the same, and to retain 
105. for his trouble. 

The amount of stock now standing under this 
will, in the names of the Bailiff, Burgesses, and 
Commonalty of Tewkesbury, is £112. 6s. 3d., the 
annual dividend of which is £3. *Js. Ad. which is 
received by the chamberlain, who pays it to the 
general fund in the hands of the Corporation, for 
the benefit of the poor. — XXI. p. 198. 






EDUCATION, GOOD EXAMPLE, &C. 

Yarm, Yorkshire. 
William Chaloner, Esq. a native of this parish, 
by wiU, dated June 18th, 1799, left £400 Three 
per Cent. Consolidated Bank Annuities, the inte- 
rest thereof to be paid to the master of the free 
grammar-school at Yarm, for the education of 
eight poor children between the ages of six and 



EDUCATION, GOOD EXAMPLE, &C. 231 

fourteen years, to be elected by the minister and 
churchwardens for the time being ; and he also be- 
queathed £100 Four per Cent. Bank Annuities, 
the interest thereof to be paid to the minister of 
Yarm for the time being, for a Sunday Evening 
Lecture, to be preached quarterly on the first Sun- 
day after the Epiphany, Lady Day, Midsummer 
Day, and Michaelmas Day, in every year, on the 
following subjects, viz. 

I. On the Education of Youth, and the preva- 
lence of good example. 

II. On Baptism. 

III. On Redemption. 

IV. On the Wisdom of God in the Creation. 
The directions of the will are annually complied 

with.— VIII. p. 752. 



AFFECTIONATE MEMORIAL OF A DAUGHTERS LOVE 
FOR HER MOTHER. 

Brougham, Westmorland. 

In this parish is a payment of £4 a-year out of 
an estate at Yanwath, in the parish of Barton, 
given by Anne Countess dowager of Pembroke in 
1656. There is no deed or document in the pa- 
rish relating to it, but there is a stone pillar in the 
parish of Brougham, on the road between Penrith 
and Appleby, with an inscription recording the 
benefaction in the following terms : 



232 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

" Cftte pillar &ag tvetttft au B. 1656, b% 
tfyt Htgftt fjonourafcle flinne Counter 
SJotoager of Ponftrofc?, ant* aole fjnr of tp 
Migtjt ftonouraMe George harlot <ftumfc*r= 
lanfc, for a memorial of §tv laat parting in 
tf)t0 plar* tDitt) f)^r gootr an& piou* motfjir, 
tlj£ Migftt tjonourafcie Margaret <£ount*0$ 
IBotoager of <£um&*riantr, fyt 2tr &prtl 1 616. 
In memory tofjmof $fje also left an an= 
nuit» of £4 to toe trtetrtfmtrtr to tfte poor 
tentfnn tfji^ parte!) of ^rougfjam tbevp 2& 
Iraj) of &pril, for tbtx f upon tyt atone 
ijtxttv* Hau0 Hm"* 

This rent-charge is paid by John Nicholson, of 
Yanwath, the owner of the estate, which is now 
charged with the payment thereof, and is distri- 
buted about the 2d April, by the ministers and 
churchwardens, amongst two, three, or four fami- 
lies not receiving weekly pay, under the name of 
Pillar Money.— VII. p. 575. 

* The author of " The Pleasures of Memory " thus 
feelingly alludes to this memorial : 

Hast thou through Eden's wild wood vales pursued 
Each mountain scene majestically rude ; 
Nor there awhile with lifted eye revered 
That modest stone which pious Pembroke rear'd ; 
Which still records beyond the pencil's power, 
The silent sorrows of a parting hour ; 
Still to the musing pilgrim points the place 
Her sainted spirit most delights to trace ? 

Rogers. 



TO LEARN THE LORD'S PRAYER. 233 

BOUNTIFUL ENGOURAGEMENT TO LEARN THE 
lord's PRAYER, &C. &C. 
Wootton, Surrey. 
William Glanville, by will, dated December 
31st, 1717^ directed that the trustees to be ap- 
pointed in pursuance of his will, should, amongst 
other things, on the anniversary of his death, pay 
I to five poor boys of the parish of Wootton, who 
should not exceed the age of sixteen years, the 
sum of forty shillings each, upon condition that 
such five boys should, with their hands laid upon 
his gravestone, repeat by heart, in a plain and 
audible voice, the Lord^s Prayer, the Apostles' 
Creed, and Ten Commandments, and should also 
read the 15th chapter of the First Epistle of St. 
Paul to the Corinthians, and write, in a legible 
hand, two verses of the said chapter ; and, in case 
a sufficient number of poor boys could not be 
found in the parish of Wootton qualified to take 
the benefit of his charity, he empowered the 
trustees to choose other boys, not exceeding the 
number aforesaid, nor of more adult years than 
was before mentioned, out of the several parishes 
of Westcot, Abinger, Shere, Ashstead, Epsom, 
and Cheam. 

The annuities of forty shillings have been regu- 
larly paid on the 2d of February, supposed to be 
the anniversary of the testator's death, to five poor 
boys, upon their compliance with the conditions 



234 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

mentioned in the testator's will, which have been 
strictly observed. — XIII. p. 601. 



PENITENTIAL CHARITY. 

Bridford, Devonshire. 

Edward Hall, who died 1 6th July, 1706, gave, 
by his will, thirteen shillings per annum, to be 
paid out of the tenement of Thorne, in Bridford, 
viz. ten shillings to the rector or curate of Brid- 
ford, for preaching a penitential sermon in the 
church of that parish, on Thursday in the week 
before Easter in every year, as a preparation for , 
the sacrament; two shillings to be bestowed in 
bread, at the discretion of the minister and church- 
wardens, to eight poor people who should be then 
present in the church ; and one shilling to the 
parish clerk for collecting the money, paying the 
minister, and bringing the bread to the church. 

He also gave three shillings and fourpence per 
annum, to be paid out of Thorne aforesaid, to the 
minister and churchwardens of Bridford, to be 
by them bestowed yearly at Easter, to buy butts 
or other conveniences for the people to kneel 
upon at their prayers in church. 

This charity is continued as required by the 
donor, except that the sermon is preached on 
Good Friday instead of the Thursday preceding. 
—IX. p. 169. 



PRAYERS ON SUNDAY EVENING. 235 

THE DONATION OF A PERSON UNKNOWN, FOR ESTA- 
BLISHING PRAYERS ON SUNDAY EVENING. MATT. 

VI. 3, 4. 

St. Michael's, Gloucester. 
By indenture, dated 28th July, 17^4, between 
William Rogers, of Gloucester, apothecary, of 
the one part ; and William Lord Bishop of Glou- 
cester, the Rev. Josiah Tucker, D. D. Dean of 
Gloucester, and the Rev. Richard Rogers, of the 
said city, clerk, of the other part ; — reciting, that 
a gentlewoman, who desired that her name might 
be concealed, had paid to the said William Rogers 
£281, to be placed out at interest upon govern- 
ment or other security, at the discretion of the 
said Bishop and his successors, the Dean of Glou- 
cester for the time being, and the said William 
Rogers and Richard Rogers, and that the interest 
thereof should be applied for the purposes there- 
inafter mentioned ; and that the said William 
Rogers, with the approbation of the Bishop and 
Dean and Richard Rogers, had invested the said 
sum in the purchase of £300 in the Four per Cent. 
Annuities, in his own name; — it was declared that 
the dividends and interest should be paid and 
applied as follows, viz. £8 to the rector or minis- 
ter of the parish of St. Michael, on condition 
that, by himself or curate, prayers should be read 
and divine service performed in the said parish 
church, at six o'clock in the evening of every Sun- 



236 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

day throughout the year ; twenty shillings to the 
clerk of the said parish for his attendance on such 
service; ten shillings to the sexton ; and two pounds 
ten shillings, the residue of the interest, to be laid 
out in the purchase of candles and lights to be made 
use of at such service during the winter ; but if the 
minister of St. MichaePs parish should, for four 
Sundays together, neglect to read prayers and 
perform divine service in the said parish church, 
at the hour and manner therein mentioned, the 
Bishop, Dean, and their successors, jointly with 
the said William and Richard Rogers, or the sur- 
vivor of them, might appoint some other parish 
church in the said city for the purpose aforesaid, 
and pay the said interest to the minister, clerk, 
and sexton of the parish church so to be nomi- 
nated by them. The stock has since been con- 
verted into £360. Js. Three per Cent. Consols, 
producing £10. 16s. 2d. a-year, which is thus ap- 
propriated:- — £. s. d. 

To the rector . . .728 

To the clerk 

To the sexton 

For candles 



XIV. p. 51, 



. 


. 


. 1 








. 


. 


. 


10 





• 


• 


. 2 


3 


6 




£10 


16 


2 











IGNORANCE AND IDOLATRY REPROVED. 237 

UNKINDNESS, IGNORANCE, INJUSTICE, AND IDOLA- 
TRY REPROVED. GOD TO BE PRAISED. 

Huntley, Gloucestershire. 

Samuel Hawkins,* by will, dated 8th November, 
1804, gave £200, the interest thereof should be 
paid by trustees as follows : — 

To the rector, vicar, or curate, £2. 2s. provided 
one of them should preach a sermon, the text 
being the sixth chapter of Micah, in the parish 
church of Huntley, of a morning annually on New 
Year's Day for ever ; and pay to the clerk of the 
said parish church (provided the hundredth Psalm 
of the old version be then sung) 1 Os. 6d. ; and if 
any set of singers should be assembled in the said 
church on that day, to pay to them £l. Is. for sing- 
ing; and to the sexton of the said parish 10s. 6d.; 
provided such respective persons did respectively 
perform their duty, but not otherwise; £l. Is. to 
be laid out in sixpenny loaves, and given to the 
poor who should attend divine service on that day; 
and the remainder of such interest to be given to 
James Belson, and after his decease to any of 
his kindred ; and, failing therein, for want of such 
kindred, then to two poor housekeepers of Hunt- 
ley, at the discretion of the trustees ; such trustees 
to be the rector or vicar and the churchwardens of 
the parish for the time being. All which trusts 
are reported as being fulfilled annually, in accord- 
ance with the donor's will. — XVIII. p. 324. 

* Vide p. 240, for a similar bequest by the same person. 



238 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

GRATITUDE FOR PRESERVATION IN IMMINENT 
DANGER. 

Llan Gybi, Caernarvonshire. 
Charles Jones, Esq. of Lincoln's Inn, by will, 
dated 1 7th January, 1640, directed that an hospital 
should be built near Pullhelly for 12 poor men, 
and that his father first, his uncle next, and so 
their heirs, should fairly and justly manage and 
govern such hospital, which he had long resolved 
and with the desire of his deceased wife, who was 
with his father, and their mother, his brother 
Griffith, his sister, his wife, himself, and other 
servants, mercifully preserved, and brought to 
land in Pullhelly, from imminent and present dan- 
ger of the seas by God's unspeakable love and 
favour ; and whereas likewise he in his younger 
years was miraculously, by God's own hand, 
drawn and led from the house in Port thyn 
Llayn, that was instantly cast and thrown down by 
the moultringe of an hill near thereunto, and therein 
nine persons and Christians were killed by rea- 
son thereof; himself, a child of three or four years 
of age at the most, having newly entered the 
house, and in a moment returned, not thirty yards 
from the house, but it fell all to dust and rub- 
bish ; for these and many other of God's great 
mercies and loving kindness unto him, he and his 
deceased wife had determined of this poor hos- 
pital ; for the maintenance of which hospital to 



GRATITUDE FOR PRESERVATION IN DANGER. 239 

be erected^ he devised for ever certain lands, of 
£50 per annum, and ordained his brother Robert 
Jones his executor. 

It appears by a Latin inscription in front of 
the almshouses, that the benevolent intentions of 
the founder were entirely frustrated during the 
troubles of the civil war, and that the present 
edifice was erected by his heir William Price, 
Esq. of Rhiwlas, in the year 1760.— XXVIII. 
p. 516. 



GRATITUDE FOR DIVINE PROTECTION. 

Eton, Buckinghamshire. 

Joseph Pote, by will, 12th November, 1781, 
gave £50 to be put to interest, and the profit to 
be distributed by equal portions in bread twice 
a year, viz. on the first Sunday after the 29th 
March and the 7th November yearly (or on those 
days if they should be on a Sunday), a quartern 
loaf to each poor parishioner who should attend 
divine service, if not disabled therefrom by dis- 
tress, age, or other incident, the same to be dis- 
tributed by the bridgemasters for the time being, 
or by the two senior feoffees, or one of them. 
And he directed that on each of those days the 
Hundredth Psalm, with the Gloria Patri, should 
be sung by the congregation and poor attending, 
as a thankful acknowledgment of peculiar instances 



240 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

of Divine protection at those periods and other 
parts of his life.— XXV. p. 82. 



CHARITY FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF JUSTICE, 
MERCY, AND GOODNESS. 

Newnham, Gloucestershire, 

Samuel Hawkins, who died 29th December, 
1805, by his will, gave to his executors therein 
named the sum of £200 in trust, to invest the 
same in the names of the rector or vicar and 
churchwardens of the parish of Newnham, and 
their successors, in Government good securities^ 
and directed that the trustees should, out of the 
interest thereof, pay to the rector, or vicar, or 
curate of the said parish £2, 2s. provided one of 
them should preach in the parish church a ser- 
mon, taking for his text the sixth chapter of 
Micah, 8th verse, ie He hath shewed thee, O man, 
what is good; and what doth the Lord require 
of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and 
to walk humbly with thy God?" on the morning of 
every New Year's Day, and to pay the clerk of the 
said parish, provided the hundredth Psalm were 
then sung, old version, 10s. 6d. ; and if any set of 
singers should be assembled in the church on that 
day, to pay them £l. Is. for singing; and the 
sexton of the said parish 10s. 6d. } provided such 
persons should respectively perform their duty on 



FARTHING CHARITY. 241 

that day, and not otherwise ; and that they 
should lay out £l. Is. in buying of six-penny 
loaves to be distributed to such poor persons as 
should attend divine service there on that day. 
And he directed that his trustees should dispose 
of the remainder of the interest or dividends for 
the use and benefit of such person or persons 
who had lived servants with Elizabeth Wood, 
Elizabeth Hawkins, Sarah Hawkins, and Sarah 
Hopley, formerly inhabitants of the said parish, 
and their descendants ; and for want of such 
claimants to such other poor persons of the said 
parish, on every New Year's Day for ever, as the 
trustees for the time being should, in their dis- 
cretion, think proper. 

The £200 was laid out in the purchase of 
£281. 16s. stock, Three per Cents Reduced, pro- 
ducing £7* 125. 2d. per annum, which is applied 
according to the donor's will. — XIX. p. 107. 



FARTHING CHARITY. PEACE AND GOOD WILL 

PROMOTED. 

Kidderminster, Worcestershire. 
In an old book, containing extracts of wills, &c. 
relating to charities in this town, it is stated that 
one Whiting gave ten farthing loaves, called 
Whiting's Alms, to ten poor folks, by the High 
Bailiff, weekly for ever ; and in the first page of 

M 



242 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

a book containing the accounts of Brecknell's 
Charity, is the following entry : 

6i Tradition informs us that a maiden woman 
left to the inhabitants of the Church Street, in 
Kidderminster, the sum of 405. to be put out 
at interest, and that the person in whose hands 
the said sum was entrusted, should engage to 
provide as many farthing loaves as the interest 
would pay for, in order to give one to every child 
that was either born or lived in Church Street ; 
and should also engage to invite to his house, 
upon Midsummer Eve, every male inhabitant 
of the said Street, to see to the faithful distribu- 
tion of the said loaves/' 

This sum it is said was lost many years ago, by 
being lent to a person inhabiting a house up an 
entry in Church Street ; but that the original sum 
was again made up by some well-disposed people; 
and it was then agreed, that no person who did 
not inhabit a house to the front of the said 
Street, should ever have the money, nor any 
person but such as the majority of the inha- 
bitants assembled should approve of, and who 
should provide two sureties for the repayment 
with interest ; and it was further stated, that it 
appeared to be the principal intention of the do- 
nor, that the male inhabitants of the said street 
should be assembled once a-year, in order to 
maintain a friendly intercourse amongst them 



FARTHING CHARITY. 243 

and particularly to inquire if any differences 
subsisted between them, and if so, to use their 
friendly offices to reconcile and compose them ; 
and that, accordingly, this friendly meeting on 
Midsummer Eve in every year, had subsisted be- 
yond the memory of any man, to the time of 
making the entry, which is dated 23d June 1778- 

John Brecknell, living in the Church Street, 
Kidderminster, by his will, dated 4th December, 
177^, reciting that there had for time immemorial 
existed in the Church Street, a society for the 
promotion of friendly intercourse among the in- 
habitants of Church Street, bequeathed £150 
in trust, to provide out of the interest thereof, 
and give to every child or unmarried person born 
in or an inhabitant of the Church Street, one 
twopenny plum-cake, upon the eve of every 
Midsummer Day ; and, further, to provide pipes 
and tobacco and ale, &c. for the entertainment of 
the male inhabitants, which should then assemble; 
and he directed that the remaining part of the 
interest arising from the above £150 should be 
given to such poor persons as the company then 
assembled, or the majority of them, should think 
the fittest objects ; and he directed that no more 
than five shillings, nor less than two shillings, 
should be given to any one, and that preference 
should be always given to such poor persons as 
should be inhabitants of the said street, but never 

M 2 



244 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

to be given to any one person who should be pre- 
sent at that meeting. 

Trustees have from time to time been ap- 
pointed, and the dividend being £10. 8s. is dis- 
posed of on Midsummer Eve yearly, when a meet- 
ing takes place in the house of some person in 
Church Street who is willing to receive his neigh- 
bours. The house is open to all the inhabitants 
of the street. At this time the twopenny cakes 
are given away to all the persons born or living in 
the street, the cost of which is from £3 to £4. 
Pipes, ale, and tobacco are also supplied, . which 
generally cost between £l and £2 ; and the re- 
mainder is given away to poor persons living in 
the Church Street, and the entries leading from 
it, in sums generally of two shillings to each person. 

The sum of 40s. before mentioned is handed 
over every year to some inhabitant of the street, 
who pays two shillings at the time of the Mid- 
summer Eve meeting as the interest ; and this 
forms part of the distribution, farthing loaves be- 
ing always made for the purpose, and given away 
with the twopenny cakes. — XXV. p. 538, 540. 



PEACE AND GOOD WILL PROMOTED. 

Market Lavington, Wilts. 
Dr. Thomas Tanner, late Bishop of St. Asaph, 
by will, dated 22d November, 1733, gave to the 



PEACE AND GOOD WILL PROMOTED. 245 

Rev, John Sainwell and five others, all of Market 
Lavington, his native place, and to the vicar or 
his resident curate there for the time being, the 
sum of £200; with interest, and upon trusty that 
they should purchase therewith some rent-charge 
or estate in land, the rents of which should be ap- 
plied every year in the manner and form follow- 
ing : first, to the vicar or his curate, for a sermon 
to be preached in the afternoon of the feast day 
of the Conversion of St. Paul, in the parish church 
of Lavington aforesaid, on repentance, faith, obe- 
dience, good works, humility, meekness, sobriety, 
contempt of the world, resignation to Providence, 
God's mercy to mankind, men's duty in showing 
mercy to others, or some other practical subject, 
13«. 4d. ; to the clerk and sexton between them, 
for attending and ringing the bell, 3s.; to the 
ringers, for two short peals upon the six bells, 
one at break of day, and the other after sermon, 
in the afternoon, 6s. ; 20s. to be spent at a friendly 
meeting of his trustees therein named, and such 
of the better sort of the parishioners as they 
should think fit to invite in the evening of St. 
Paul's Day, to promote peace and good neighbour- 
hood, and preserve some little regard to the 
memory of his honoured parents; 20s. to be 
yearly disposed of, towards the teaching of some 
poor children to write and read, whose friends 
were not able to pay for their schooling; 20s. to 



246 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

buy four Bibles with Common Prayer, to be 
given also yearly on St. Paul's Day, to such four 
poor persons in the said parish, as in the opinion 
of the vicar, or his curate, were most likely to 
make the best use of the same, and were least 
able to buy such ; and the remainder of the clear 
produce of the said legacy to be given away yearly, 
.after prayers and sermon, on the said St. Paul's 
Day, in the said church, among so many poor 
people of the said parish, to be nominated by the 
vicar, or, in his absence, his curate, as it would 
reach to at twelve pence each. 

In 1742, the £200 was laid out in the purchase 
of a small estate at Patney, Wilts, which in 1834 
was let at £8 per annum, subject to a payment 
of 2s. Gd. yearly to the chief lord of the fee. The 
residue of the rent is applied according to the 
directions contained in Bp. Tanner's will. — 
XXVIII. p. 383. 



BEQUEST TO PROMOTE BROTHERLY LOVE, PEACE, 
AND GOOD WILL. 

London, St. Clement's Eastcheap. 

Robert Halliday, by his will, dated 6th May, 
1491, gave estates in the parish of St. Leonard, 
Eastcheap, the rents to be applied to various 
purposes, and, amongst others, 5s. to the church- 



CHARITY FOR GLORIFYING GOD. 247 

wardens yearly, either to make an entertainment 
among such persons of the said parish of St. Cle- 
ment, who should be at variance with each other, 
in the week preceding Easter, to induce such 
persons to better neighbourhood, and to beget 
brotherly love amongst them ; or if none should 
be found in the said parish, then to make an en- 
tertainment with the said 5s. at the tavern 
amongst the honest parishioners of the said pa- 
rish on the day of our Lord's Supper, commonly 
called Shere Thursday, that they might pray more 
fervently for the souls of certain persons named 
in his will.— XXIII. p. 202. 



CHARITY FOR GLORIFYING GOD. 

Newnkam, Gloucestershire. 

In the last will of James Jocham, of Bristol, 
dated 21st December, 17*>4, the following bequest 
appears : 

" I give to my said son James Jocham, the in- 
terest of £1000, which is now out on the bridge 
security, for his life, he paying yearly thereout to 
the ministers, clerks, and sextons of the parishes 
of St. Augustine, in the said city of Bristol, and 
Newnham aforesaid, the sum of three guineas, 
(that is to say,) one guinea to the minister of each 
parish, and half a guinea to the clerks and sextons 



248 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

of each parish, to be* divided amongst them equally, 
for preaching a sermon on the 14th of May yearly 
for ever, the text to be taken out of the Common 
Prayer Book, on these words, " O all ye works of 
the Lord, bless ye the Lord, praise Him, and 
magnify Him for ever." Item, I give to the parish 
of Newnham aforesaid, after the decease of my 
said son James, the interest of the said sum of 
£1000, towards clothing fifteen poor boys of the 
said parish yearly for ever, and the remainder (if 
any) to poor lying-in women of the same parish, 
not receiving alms, as the minister, churchwar- 
dens, and gentlemen of the same parish shall 
think the greatest objects of charity; and after 
the said sum of £1000 shall be paid in from the 
Bridge, I desire my executors and trustees to lay 
it out in the purchase of some lands, or else to 
put it out on Government or other good security, 
for the uses above mentioned." 

The sum of £1000 was laid out in the purchase 
of £1,126. 17$. I0d. South Sea Annuities, pro- 
ducing an annual dividend of £33. 16s. 

It appears that the dividends have been applied 
annually, according to the donor's wish, and the 
account of the distribution regularly kept. — XIX. 
p. 106. 



CHARITY AND THANKFULNESS. 249 

CHARITY OF THANKFULNESS. 

St. Giles's, Oxford. 

William Handy, by will, dated 10th March, 
1622, bequeathed to the parish of St. Giles £40, 
upon conditions, that upon the 10th day of March 
for ever, in the morning, about five or sixo^clock, 
they should ring one peal with all the bells, and 
about eight or nine o'clock should go to service, 
and read all the service, with the Litany and the 
Communion, as it is commanded to be read in the 
Cathedral Church, and after that to have a ser- 
mon, and in it to give God thanks for his great 
blessings in delivering and bringing the giver from 
Papistry and Idolatry to the light and truth of His 
blessed Gospel ; and he desired that the preacher 
might have 10s. for his sermon, and the minister 
5s. for reading service, and the poor to have given 
them in bread or money 10s. 

This sum, with other monies, was laid out in 
1633, in purchasing a tenement, garden, and one 
acre of pasture-ground, situate in Corn Street, 
Witney, to the uses of the donor's will. Of the 
rent fifteen shillings a-year is paid to the minister 
for reading prayers and preaching a sermon on the 
10th of March; five shillings to the clerk; five 
shillings to the ringers ; and fifteen shillings is 
distributed at the church, with other money, in 
small sums to the poor. 

M 5 



250 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

The same mode of distribution has prevailed for 
a great number of years. — VI. p. 453. 

There was a similar gift by the same donor to 
the parish of St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford ; but 
the Commissioners report, that since 1800 nothing 
has been paid in respect of this Charity ; and the 
name of William Handy has been erased from the 
Table of Benefactions ! I— VI. p. 434. 



ENCOURAGEMENT TO ATTEND DIVINE SERVICE, AND 
LIVE IN THE FEAR OF GOD. 

St. James's, Bristol, 

Thomas Walker, of this parish, by his will, 
dated 25th April, 1666, ordered as follows : 

" Item, I give and bequeath to that poor parish 
of St. James the sum of £200, to purchase for 
ever the sum of £10. 8s. a year for eight poor 
housekeepers^ that are known to live in the fear 
of God, and to come unto the church every Lorfs 
Day, a sixpenny loaf of bread every Sabbath Day, 
after morning prayer, unto these eight poor house- 
keepers for ever; but, for God's sake, let them be 
no drunkards nor common swearers ; no, nor that 
do beg in the streets from door to door ; but let 
them be quiet people, that do desire to live in the 
fear of God. Pray let their bread be wheaten bread, 
and weight as it ought to be/' 

The sum of £200 not being sufficient to pur- 



TO INCULCATE A KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. 25 1 

chase an annuity of £10. 8s. clear of taxes, the 
trustees (under the will) added £8, and purchased 
a rent-charge of £10. 8s. per annum, issuing out 
of lands called the Six Closes or Chequer Ground, 
in the parish of St. James. And care is taken (it 
is said) to appoint persons of good character to 
participate of the gift. — IX. p. 412. 



BEQUEST TO INCULCATE A KNOWLEDGE OF GOD 
AND OUR DUTIES TO MAN. 

Prescot, Lancashire. 

Amongst the papers relating to the Charities of 
this place, there is an extract from the will of 
John Wyke (but without date), whereby he gave 
to his executors £100, to be by them paid to the 
Trustees of the Prescot Charities, to place such 
sum out on such securities as they and the Jury of 
Prescot Court should think proper, the interest 
to be applied at the discretion and appointment 
of the said Trustees and Jury, with the vicar and 
churchwardens of the same parish for the time 
being, in causing poor children, living in any part 
of the parish of Prescot, to be instructed in the 
English tongue, writing, arithmetic, mathematics, 
and particularly mechanics, and also in purchasing 
of godly books demonstrating the infinite perfections 
of the one only supreme God, and teaching the 
duties we naturally owe to Him as such, and to 






252 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

each other as equally the work of His hands;*" 
which books he desired to be fixed in the parish 
church of Prescot for public use, or be distri- 
buted amongst poor families in the said parish, 
and in purchasing of bread to be distributed in the 
said church to the poor attending divine worship 
there. 

The Commissioners were informed that this 
legacy was received on 14th February, 1793, and 
laid out upon a new weighing machine upon the 
premises called the Rose and Crown, and that for 
several years subsequently to 1795, £4. 10s. per 
annum was paid to the schoolmaster of the Gram- 
mar School in Prescot, as the interest of this 
legacy ; and four boys were appointed to be 
taught free, on account thereof; and the same in- 
terest is now considered as forming part of the 
salary paid to the master out of the general ac- 
count of the Charities of the place, more particu- 
larly referred to and detailed in the Commissioners 5 
Report.— XXI. p. 222. 

* Father of Light and Life ! thou Good Supreme ! 
O teach me what is good ! teach me Thyself ! 
Save me from folly, vanity, and vice, 
From every low pursuit ! and feed my soul 
With knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure ; 
Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss ! 

Thomson. 



CHARITY FOR PRINTERS. 253 

We close this account of Remarkable Charities 
with the benefaction of one whose name ranks 
high amongst the professors of that noble art by- 
means of which the knowledge of the good deeds 
of our forefathers are communicated to posterity. 

A CHARITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF PRINTERS. 

London. 

William Bowyer, esquire, by his will, dated 30th 
July, 1777? gave to the Company of Stationers, 
London, such a sum of money as would purchase 
£2000 three per cent, reduced annuities, upon 
trust, to pay the dividends equally, amongst three 
printers, compositors or pressmen, to be elected, 
from time to time, by the Master, Wardens, and 
Assistants of the said Company, and who at the 
time of such election should be 63 years old or up- 
wards, for their respective lives, to be paid half 
yearly, hoping that such as should be most deserv- 
ing would be preferred; and after reciting that 
he had, by his will, given to his son the sum of 
£3000 four per cent, consolidated annuities, in 
case he married with the consent of his (the testa- 
tor's) executors, he thereby gave and bequeathed 
the dividends and interest of that sum till such 
marriage should take place, to the said Company 
of Stationers, to be divided equally between six 
other printers, compositors or pressmen as afore- 



254 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

said; in manner as aforesaid ; and if his son should 
die unmarried, or married without such consent as 
aforesaid, then he gave and bequeathed the said 
capital sum of £3000 to the said Company of Sta- 
tioners, the dividends and yearly produce thereof 
to be divided, for ever, amongst six other such old 
printers, compositors or pressmen, for their re- 
spective lives, to be qualified, chosen, and paid, in 
manner as aforesaid. 

The testator then proceeds in the following 
words : 

5 It has long been to me matter of concern, 
that such numbers are put apprentices as compo- 
sitors without any share of school learning, who 
ought to have the greatest. In hopes of remedying 
this, I give and bequeath to the said Company of 
Stationers, such a sum of money as will purchase 
£1000 three per Cent. Reduced Bank Annuities, 
for the use of one journeyman compositor, such 
as shall hereafter be described; with this special 
trust, that the Master, Wardens, and Assistants, 
shall pay the dividends and produce thereof, half 
yearly, to such compositor. The said Master, 
Wardens, and Assistants of the said Company, 
shall nominate for this purpose a Compositor 
who is a man of good life and conversation, who 
shall usually frequent some place of public worship 
every Sunday, unless prevented by sickness, and 
shall not have worked on a newspaper or maga- 



CHARITY FOR PRINTERS. 255 

zine for four years at least before such nomina. 
tion, nor shall ever afterwards whilst he holds 
this annuity , which may be for life if he continues 
a journeyman. 

" He shall be able to read and construe Latin, 
and at least to read Greek fluently, with accents ; 
of which he shall bring a testimonial from the 
Rector of Saint Martin's Ludgate for the time 
being. I could wish that he shall have been 
brought up piously and virtuously, if it be pos- 
sible at Merchant Taylors 5 , or some other public 
school, from seven years of age till he is full 
seventeen, and then to serve seven years faith- 
fully as a compositor, and work seven years more 
as a journeyman, as I would not have this an- 
nuity bestowed on any one under 31 years of age. 
If after he is chosen he should behave ill, let him 
be turned out, and another chosen in his stead. 
And whereas it may be many years before a 
compositor may be found that shall exactly answer 
the above description, and it may at some times 
happen that such a one cannot be found, I would 
have the dividends in the mean time applied to 
such person as the Master, Wardens, and As- 
sistants, shall think approaches nearest to what I 
have described." 

And he gave to the Company, in case they 
should think proper to accept the trust, £250. 

The several sums above mentioned were trans- 



256 REMARKABLE CHARITIES. 

ferred to the Company by Mr. Bowyer's execu- 
tors. The 4 per cent, consols have since been 
reduced to 3 per cent., and there is now the sum 
of £6000 3 per cent, reduced annuities standing 
in the name of the Company, applicable to these 
charities. 

The dividends amount to £180 a-year, £60 
whereof is disposed of in half-yearly pensions to 
three printers, compositors or pressmen, £20 per 
annum to each. 

The sum of £90 is disposed of in like manner 
to six other persons of the same description, £15 
per annum to each ; and £30 is paid to a pen- 
sioner appointed under the last clause of the tes- 
tator's will. These persons are all elected by the 
Court of Assistants, to whom petitions are pre- 
sented, stating the qualifications of the candidates, 
according to the terms prescribed, and the circum- 
stances that are thought to render them fit objects 
of the charity. Mr. Henry Leslie, the pensioner 
receiving £30 yearly, was appointed in 1839, 
when, as appears by an entry in the Court-book, 
he and all the candidates produced a certificate 
from the rector of St. Martin, Ludgate, as re- 
quired by the will.— XXII. p. 83. 

The example set by Mr. Bowyer has been fol- 
lowed by several other liberal benefactors for 
the benefit of poor Printers. 

William Strahan, esq. left by will, in 1784, 
£1000. 



CHARITY FOR PRCNTERS. 257 

Andrew Strahan, esq. gave in his lifetime, in 
1815, £1225, 4 per cent, annuities; and in 18 J 8, 
gave a second benefaction of £1000 4 per cent. 

John Nichols, esq. gave in his lifetime in 1817? 
£500 4 per cent, annuities. 

Luke Hansard, esq. in July 1818, gave £1000 
4 per cents.; and in September 1818, gave a 
second benefaction of £1500 3 per cents. 

Beale Blackwell, esq. gave by will in 1817* 
£100 a-year. 

Charles Whittingham, esq. gave by will in 
1840, £2000 3 per cent. Consols. 

The interest of all these several sums are dis- 
tributed to poor Printers by the Court of As- 
sistants of the Company of Stationers. 



259 



I. INDEX OF PLACES. 



Aber Daron, 216. 
Albury, 51. 
Alcester, 159. 
Alresford, 75. 
Alrewas, 35. 
Andover, 136". 
Ashborne, 42. 
Assington, 30. 
Babington, 68. 
Bamborough Castle, 79. 
Barnes, 228. 
Barr, Great, 57. 
Barton, 223. 
Bebington, 68. 
Bedford, 167, 179, 182. 
Bexley, 2. 
Biddenden, 60. 
Biddenham, 64. 
Bidford, 129. 
Bolton, 114. 
Bowes, 101. 
Boxted, 135. 
Braughing, 102. 
Bridford, 234. 
Bridgnorth, 2. 
Bristol, 103, 170. 

St. James's, 172, 250. 

St. John, 174. 

Brixton, 106. 
Brougham, 231. 
Bulkeley, 118. 
Burford, 137. 

Burgh St. Margaret, 14. 

Burnham, 4. 

Bushey, 28. 

Cambridge, St. Andrew, 171. 

Canterbury, 138. 

Castle Donnington, 112. 

Castlerigg, 63. 

Charlton, 169. 

Chislet, 222. 

Cirencester, 118. 

Clavering, 6. 

Claverley, 220. 

Clee, 217. 



Cliffe Pypard, 119. 
Clifton Reynes, 120. 
Coleshill, 97, 209. 
Cowley, 212. 
Coxwell, Great, 40. 
Cropredy, 224. 
Croydon, 214. 
Dacre, 114. 
Danby, 108. 
Deptford, 218. 
Ditchampton, 197. 
Dover, St. Mary, 95. 
Drayton Beauchamp, 121. 
Dronfield, 7. 
Ducklington, 14. 
Dunmow, Little, 1. 
Duxfords, 8. 
Eaton Bray, 33. 
Edgcott, 122. 
Edlesborough, 18. 
Eton, 239. 
Exeter, 4, 139. 
Exning, 35. 
Farnsfield, 209. 
Farnham Royal, 9. 
Felsted, 9. 
Fenny Stratford, 59. 
Forebridge, 2. 
Giggleswick, 26. 
Glenfield, 219. 
Glentham, 100. 
Gloucester, 38. 

St. Michael's, 161, 

164, 235. 
Godmanchester, 15, 31. 
Godstone, 15. 
Gonerby, Great, 122. 
Grateley, 228. 
Guilford, 141, 144. 
Hallaton, 101. 
Hampstead, 16. 
Harlington, 27. 
Harrow, 177. 
Haslingfield, 208. 
Henbury, 173. 



260 



INDEX OF PLACES. 



Hentland, 207. 
Hereford, 17,76, 162. 
Hilderstone, 158. 
Holker, Upper, 123. 
Horley, 20. 
Hornchurch, 22. 
Hunmanby, 49. 
Huntingdon, 201. 
Huntley, 237. 
Husborne Crawley, 116. 
Ince, 36. 

Kidderminster, 241. 
Kirby, West, 69. 
Langton, 198. 
Leicester, 160. 

All Saints, 110. 

LlanGybi, 238. 
London, 76. 188. 253. 

Drapers' Company, 211. 

■ Fishmongers' Company, 

10. 
— — — — Goldsmiths' Company, 

40. 

• "Weavers' Company, 60. 

— ■■ St. Andrew, Holborn, 

47. 166. 

St. Andrew, Undershaft, 



164. 

St. Bartholomew by the 

Royal Exchange, 22. 

V St. Botolph, 98. 

Christchurch, Spital- 

fields, 54. 
St. Clement's, East- 
cheap, 246. 

St. Dunstan in the West, 



123. 



— St. James, Westminster, 



117. 

St. Magnus, 166. 

St. Margaret, Westmin- 
ster, 196. 

St. Michael, Crooked 

Lane, 99. 

St. Sepulchre, 127. 

Shoreditch, 131. 

Lugwardine, 176. 

Maidenhead, 146. 

Margate, 11, 175. 

Market Lavington, 244. 



Marston, 70. 
Melbourne, 111. 
Meltonby, 57. 
Minehead, 71. 
Nevern, 24. 
Newark, 205. 
Newmarket, 12, 190. 
Newnham, 240, 247. 
Nicholas, St. Nottingham, 160. 
Northampton, 191. 
Norwich, St. Giles, 21, 227. 
Ottery St. Mary, 192. 
Ouseburn, Little, 116. 
Oxburgh, 124. 
Oxford, 146. 

St. Giles, 249. 

Paddington, 19. 

Peterchurch, 222. 

Piddle Hinton, 2. 

Prescot, 251. 

Presteign, 225. 

Prince's Risborough, 66. 

Queenborough, 96. 

Rasen, West, 226. 

Reading, 147, 150, 153, 155. 

Redcliffe, St. Mary, 216. 

Ringwould, 226. 

Rotherfield, Sussex, 28. 

Rothley, 201. 

Ruardean, 6. 

St. Giles in the Wood, Devon* 

shire, 29. 
St. Margaret's, Kent, 225. 
Sawston, 34. 
Shaugh, 124. 
Shepton Mallet, 107. 
Shere, 200. 
Shustock, 125. 
Slapton, 125. 
Slindon, 129. 
Slinfold, 39. 
South Pool, 113. 
Stanley, 215. 
Staughton, Great, 30. 
Stanton-upon-Wye, 176. 
Stockton-in-the-Forest, 41. 
Stroud, 170. 
Swaffham-Bulbeck, 26. 
Swerrord, 18. 
Tainton, 25. 



INDEX OF PLACES. 



261 



Tewkesbury, 230. 
Thorpe St. Peter's, 62. 
Thruxton, 115. 
Tottenham, 13. 
Trysull, 221. 
Twickenham, 65. 
Upton St. Leonard, 25. 
Waddesdon, 73. 
Walsall, 55. ■ 
Wandsworth, 78. 
Wargrave, 156, 157. 
Warwick, 53. 
Wellington, 52. 
Westbere, 17. 
Westbury, 163. 
Weston, Old, 220. 
Wetheringsett, 23. 
Whitsbury, 47. 



Whittlesford, 37. 
Williamscot, 59. 
Wilmington, 32. 
Wilton with Ditchampton, 19' 
Wingrave, 219. 
Wiokfield, 178. 
Winterslow, 48. 
Witchingham, Great, 34. 
Wokingham, 63, 202. 
Wolverhampton, 221. 
Woodchurch, 74. 
Woodstock, 58, 99. 
Wootton, 23-3. 
Yapham cum Meltonby, 57. 
Yardley, 23. 
Yarm, 230. 
York, 50, 204. 



262 



II. INDEX OF DONORS. 



Aldridge, Richard, 170. 
Annesley, Martin, 153. 
Archer, Henry, 53. 
Archer, John, 12. 
Axe, Thomas, 192. 
Balliston, John, 21. 
Barber, Robert, 208. 
Barker, Susan, 214. 
Beddoes, John, 225. 
Bedell, James, 8. 
Betton, Thomas, 131. 
Bevis, Richard, 139. 
Blackwell, Beale, 257. 
Blanch, John, 164. 
Bowyer, W. 253. 
Brecknell, John, 243. 
Brooke, Richard, 221. 
Butler, George, 97- 
Chalkhurst, Eliza and Mary, 61. 
Chaloner, W. 230. 
Chambers, Susanna, 166. 
Clapham, W. 26. 
Cocks, Sir R. and Sarah, 58. 
Cogan, John, 138. 
Cole, Thomas, 65. 
Collier, David, 40. 
Coningsby, Sir T. 76. 
Cooke, John, 99. 
Cook, Elizabeth, 171. 
Cooper, Edward, 39. 
Craswell, Thomas, 191. 
Crewe. Lord, 79. 
Crowsham, Richard, 22. 
Dagnall, Barnard, 212. 
Dalby, W. 13. 
Dare, Leonard, 113. 
Delafaye, Charles, 47. 
Dickenson, Edward, 196. 
Digby, Ann, 209. 
Dixon, Henry, 211. 
Dovey, Richard, 220. 
Dowe, Robert, 127. 
Dudley, Duchess Alicia, 129. 
Dynevor, Lord, 25. 
Edwards, Moses, 176. 



Evelyn, James, 15. 
Farr, John, 174. 
Fermor, Sir H. 28. 
Fortescue, Edward, 106. 
Frethern, James, 137. 
Gale, Mr. 28. 
Gatton, Thomas, 200. 
Geffry, Walter, 227. 
George, Mrs. 25. 
Gisborne, Francis, 42. 
Glanville, W. 233. 
Goodaker, James, 74. 
Goodman, Valentine, 101. 
Grainger, Robert, 15. 
Gray, Thomas, 112. 
Greene, Henry, 111. 
Hall, Edward, 234. 

John, 60. 

Halliday, Robert, 246. 
H anbury, William, 198. 
Handy, W. 249. 
Hanson, Catharine, 136. 

James, 114. 

Harding, Robert, 10. 
Harpur, Sir W. 179. 182. 
Hansard, Luke, 257. 
Hatch, Thomas, 178. 
Hawkins, Samuel, 237. 240. 
Hayne, Thomas, 160. 
Higgs, W. 22. 

— Samuel, 209. 

Hill, Sarah, 157. 
How, John, 141. 
Hulme, W. 68. 
Hunt, Sir Thomas, 158. 
Huntingdon, John, 34. 
Jackson, Luke, 160. 
Jarvis, George, 176. 

John, 175. 

Jocham, James, 247. 
Jones, Charles, 238. 
Kendricke, John, 147. 
Kite, Sir Hugh, 120. 
Knyghton, Thomas, 125. 



INDEX OF DONORS. 



263 



Lane, Richard, otherwise Tom- 

son, 162. 
Langham, Sir John, 76. 
Laud, Archbishop, 150. 
Lupton, Roger, 224. 
Lyon, John, 177. 
Marden, Giles, 161. 
Martyn, John, 4. 
Mason, Mary, 2. 
Mathews, Richard, 118. 
Millington, Frances, 78. 
Minta, W. 122. 
Nash, Ezekiel, 172. 
Newton, Ann, 117. 
Nichols, John, 257. 
Nicholson, John, 188. 
Norrice, W. 110. 
Palmer, Richard, 202. 
Palmerston, Lord, 169. 
Parsons, John, 144. 
Pattenden, Thomas, 95. 
Perram, John, 190. 
Pocock, Ann, 146. 
Popham, Sir John, 52. 
Popple, John, 4. 
Porter, Edmund, 75. 
Pote, Joseph, 239. 
Rabanke, Samuel, 108. 

Randell, , 18. 

Rich, Lord, 9. 

Richardson, , 36. 

Rogers, W. 24. 
Rolie, Lord, 29. 
Rose, Edward, 228. 
Rudge, John, 221. 
Salter, David, 9. 
Saul, Thomas, 20. 
Sellon, Walter, 157. 
Shepherd, John, 23. 



Spackman, Thomas, 119. 
Spencer, W. 216. 
Staverton, George, 63. 
Sterry, Anthony, 6. 
Stevenson, Richard, 7. 
Strahan, W. 256. 

Andrew, 257. 

Strelley, Philip, 75. 
Strode, Mr. 107. 
Sumption, Richard, 197. 
Sutton, Dorothy, 116. 
Tanner, Bishop Thomas, 244 a 
Taylor, W. 2. 
Thake, John, 6. 
Townsend, Elizabeth, 163. 
Tracy, W. and Susan Barker, 

214. 
Troutbeck, John, 114. 
Tuck, Thomas, 166. 
Veasey, Rachel, 155. 
Vick, W. 103. 
Walker, Thomas, 250. 
Wall, Matthew, 102. 
Wandesford, Mary, 50. 
Wardall, John, 98. 
Watts, Ann, 62. 
Wharton, Philip Lord, 204. 

Whiteing, , 241. 

Whittingham, Charles, 257„ 
Whorwood, Robert, 146. 
Whitbread, Samuel, 167. 
White, Bishop Thomas, 205, 
Wilcox, Robert, 159. 
Williamson, Thomas, 63. 
Willowes, John, 201. 
Wilson, W. £30. 
Wiltshire, Gregory, 38. 
Winterflood, John, 30. 
Wyke, John, 251. 



264 



III. INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



Ale, 4, 6, 26, 65, 120,121, 122, 
126. 

Ale and bread for children, 14. 

Alms cow, 73. 

Apple pies, 14, 144. 

Apprentices, 59, 90, 182, 188. 

Archery, encouragement of, 136. 

Atonement, 214. 

Auxiliary Charity, 22. 

Bachelors' money, 101. 

Bacon, Flitch of, 1. 

Barley Cobbs, 25. 

Benefaction of, to pro- 
mote education, 40. 

Bastard children, 103. 

Battles commemorated, 159, 160, 
161, 170,172. 

Beans and Barley, 33, 62. 

Beef, 2,16, 21,24, 37, 57. 

Beef and Barley, 24. 

Beef, plum-pudding, and ale, 22. 

Beer, 14, 17, 21,65, 122. 

Beggar's charity, 123, 129. 

Bell-ringing, 6, 23, 27, 99, 175, 
203,226, 249. 

Bell-rope land, 115. 

Beneficial Charity, 47. 

Benevolence encouraged, 118. 

Bequest, singular condition an- 
nexed to a, 122. 

Bible given to encourage learn- 
ing, 201. 

Biddenden's Maid's Charity, 60. 

Blankets, 11. 

Boteler's Bull Charity, 64. 

Boundary custom, 116, 120. 

Boys to keep quiet in church, 
221. 

Bread, 2, 6, 7,9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 
17, 19,20, 24,25,57,61,113, 
171,173,228. 



Bread and ale for children, 14. 

Bread and cheese lands, 17, 19, 22. 

Bread and herrings for the poor 
in Lent, 9. (See Herrings.) 

Bread, beer, beef, and broth, 21. 

Bread for all, 18. 

Bread, herrings, and blankets, 
11. 

Bridge building, 103. 

British slaves, redemption of, 
129, 131. 

Brookes' bequest to keep boys 
quiet in church, 221. 

Broth, 15, 21. 

Brotherly love, 246. 

Bull-baiting, 63. 

Bull and boar, 66. 

Bunyan, John, gift in commemo- 
ration of, 167. 

Cake and ale, 25, 122. 

Cat and dog money, 54. 

Catechism, acquirement of it en- 
couraged. 208. 

Charitable Memory, 113, 114. 

Charity, singular mode of distri- 
buting, 118. 

auxiliary, 22. 

beneficial, 47. 

ill-directed, 176. 

indiscriminate, 16, 17, 

19,34,35, 55. 

medicinal, 47. 

Cheese, 22, 28, 61. 

Christmas beef, 4. 

Christmas dinner money, 57. 

Christmas festivities, 2, 3, 4, 5. 

mince pie at, 6. 

plum-pudding for, 4. 

welcoming, 6. 

Clock land, 208, 2^4. 

Cloth, 42. 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



265 



Coals, 2, 19, 53. 

Cook, Captain, commemoration 

of, 171. 
Cow charity, 68, 69, 71, 74. 

common, 70. 

Cowley church and churchyard, 

212. 
Curfew bell, 223, 224, 225, 226, 

227. 
Custom money, 57. 
Day bell, 224, 225. 
Death and Resurrection, 203. 
Ding dong land, 226. 
Dinners, 2, 3, 23, 57. 
Dixon's partiality for family 

name, 211. 
Dog and cat money, 54. 
Dog whippers, 220, 221, 222, 

273. 
Dole for all, 55. 
Dole, bountiful, 17, 56. 
Domine, quis habitabit ? 119. 
Donor, unknown, 116. 
Dress, curious, 107. 
Drinking, 39. 

Drowned men, widow of, 95, 96. 
Drunkards to be rejected, 250, 

308. 
Duck, Stephen, the poet, 169. 
Dunmow custom, 1. 
Early rising, 201, 202. 
Elizabeth, Queen, 159. 
Elm timber growing, 106. 
English Christian slaves, 129. 
Example, good, 230. 
Faggots, 12, 16, 61. 
Farthing charity, 241. 
Fear of God, 250. 
Feast, bread and cheese, 17. 
Feast for all, 59. 
Feast for the poor, 18, 23. 
Figs, 26. 
Fire, deliverance from, 164, 165, 

166, 167. 
Fish in Lent, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 

12, 13, 28-. 
Fish, 28. 
Fish cuttings, 10. 
Flannel, 42. 
Flour, 61. 



Flowers on grave, 228. 
Football land, 135. 
Formality, 110. 

Funerals, bequest in aid of, 125 
Gang Monday land, 122. 
George IV. King, memory of, 

175. 
Gloves, kid, bequest of, 9. 
Gon to be glorified, 237, 238, 

239, 247, 248, 249, 250. 
God to be feared, 250. 
God, his infinite perfections to 

be demonstrated, 251. 
God to be praised, 237. 
God, wisdom of, in the creation, 

231. 
God's mercy, 245. 
Gift, Ellen Mabbott's, 124. 
Gisborne, the Rev. Francis, a 

benefactor to 100 places, 42. 
Gratitude, 53, 164, 166, 172, 

223, 238, 239. 
Green colours, 111. 
Grime, Molly, washing, 100. 
Growing charity, 106. 
Good behaviour in boys, 117. 
Halfpenny bread, 15. 
Hanbury's bequests, 198. 
Handful, money distributed by 

the, 118. 
Hanging money, 125. 
Hay for church, 219, 22. 
Head silver, 125. 
Herrings, bequests of, 6, 7, 8, 

9, 10, 11, 12, 13. 
Horse racing, 190. 
Humility enjoined, 246. 
Idolatry reproved, 237. 
Irishwomen, 47. 
Indiscriminate charity 16, 17, 19, 

34, 35, 55. 
Judges of the Common Pleas, 

123. 
Justice, mercy, and goodness to 

be enjoined, 240. 
Lamentation of a sinner, 122. 
Learning, stimulant to, 116. 
Light for such as walk in dark- 
ness, 98. 
Light for night travellers, 98, 99. 
N 



266 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



Lord's Prayer to be correctly re- 
peated, 206, 209, 233. 

Lot casting, 142, 143, 148, 149, 
151, 153, 155. 

Lottery luck, 58. 

Love feasts, 60. 

Loyalty, 21, 158, 159*, 174. 

Lying-in women, 47. 

Maids, old, 50, 100. 

Malt, 37, 65, 66. 

Matrimony, 139, 196, 197. 

Marriage portions, 177 to 194. 

Medical aid, 47. 

Memorial, parting, 231. 

Mercy, 240. 

Meslin, 30. 

Milk, 75. 

Mince pies, 6. 

Miserable, most, 101. 

Molly Grime, 100. 

Moserley's dole, 551. 

Music 162, 199. 

Musical remembrance, 163. 

Mustard and vinegar, 57. 

Mutton, 63. 

Nelson, Lord, 170, 171. 

Nicholson's love of family name, 
188. 

Nine, partiality for, 108. 

Oatmeal, 36. 

Ostentation, family, 114. 

Parish bull, 65. 

Parliament, act of, strange, 71. 

Parliament, Member of, his gra- 
titude, 53. 

Parson's horse money, 47. 

Paternoster penny, 209. 

Patriotism, 159, 160. 

Paupers, various, 101. 

Peace gift, 207. 

Peace & good will, 241, 244,246. 

Peas, 11, 32,34. 

Pepper money, 57. 

Penitence, 234. 

Penny charity to all, 55. 

Petticoat land, 41. 

Picture gallery, 198. 

Pies, mince, custom, 6. 

Plum cakes, 26. 

Plums for puddings, 5. 



Plum pudding, 23. 

Pomposity, 102. 

Popham's, Sir J. almshouses, 52. 

Poor men's land, 48. 

Pork, 27. 

Prayers, 23, 158, 235. 

Property, singular acquisition of, 
123. 

Provident habits encouraged, 192. 

Prisoners condemned, 127. 

Printers encouraged, 253. 

Powder plot, 159, 161. 

Propagation of religious know- 
ledge, 204. 

Queen Elizabeth, 159. 

Reconciling feast, 60. 

Reform Act, bequest to comme- 
morate, 176. 

Religious knowledge, 204. 

Resurrection, thoughts of, 203. 

Roses in church-yards, 228. 

Rushes in churches, 216, 217, 
218, 219. 

Rye, 31, 35. 

Sacramental wine, 215, 216. 

Schools, 135. 

Seamen, distressed, 76, 79. 

Seamen, shipwrecked, 79. 

Seamen's friend, 78. 

Sermons, 159, 160,161, 164, 165, 
166, 167, 170, 171, 173, 200, 
216, 230, 234, 235, 237, 240, 
245, 248, 249. 

Servants, men, rewards to, 157. 

Servants, maid, rewards to, 137 to 
155. 

Shoes and stockings, 63. 

Shipwrecks, 79, 85,96. 

Slavery, redemption from, 129, 
131, 132, 133, 134. 

Sleepers in church, 220, 221. 

Snuff and tobacco, 4. 

Soldiers, 75, 76. 

Spanish Armada, 159, 161. 

St. Martin's Day, 59. 

Straw for church, 218. 

Stephening money, 121. 

Stockings and shoes, 63. 

Stone-picking money, 59. 

Task, a, 200. 



INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 



267 



Task, religious, 205, 209. 

Thankfulness, 160, 165, 249. 

Thrashers, 169. 

Tithes, 33. 

Tobacco and snuff, 4, 17. 

Tolerance, 230. 

Trafalgar, battle of, 170, 171. 

Travellers' guide, 99, 203, 223. 

Travellers' rest, 97. 

Trees, a growing charity, 106. 

Turkies, 60. 

Veal, 62. 

Veal pies, 14. 

Vinegar, 57. 



Unkindness reproved, 237. 
Walk money, 124. 
Wellington charity fund, 173. 
Wet day, provision for, 63. 
Wharton, Ld. gift of Bibles, 204. 
Wheat, 15, 18, 28,29,30,31, 

32, 33, 66. 
Wheat and barley, 30, 31 . 
Whitsuntide beer, 65. 
Wine for Sacrament, 215, 216. 
Wine, 38, 215, 216. 
Widows' hospital, 49. 
Widow, oldest, bequest to, 51. 
Widows of drowned men, 95. 



THE END. 



LONDON : 
J. B. NICHOLS AND SON, PRINTERS, 25, PARLIAMENT STREET. 






LBA«'?g 



